[Prevalence and significance of carbohydrate craving in Austria]

Among disorders of appetite and eating frequent craving of carbohydrate containing snacks between meals is well known. Excessive carbohydrate consumption causes increased caloric intake and may lead to overweight and risks of obesity regarding metabolism and vascular remodelling. Up to now prevalence and consequences of that disorder have never been studied in the Austrian population. Hence we investigated by questionnaires and interviews eating habits in samples of 1058 women and 942 men of the Austrian population. Evaluation showed that carbohydrate craving is a more or less serious problem for about 30% of Austrians. Women, especially those with overweight, were affected more frequently than men. In the whole population sample investigated there was a seasonal variation with a tendency to increased carbohydrate craving in fall and winter. This was, however, not significant for overweight women, they probably eat their snacks over the whole year. A subgroup of males reported craving of snacks containing sausage or meat instead of carbohydrate. Craving of carbohydrate is considered the consequence of a decrease of serotonin in appetite regulating neurons and centers of the brain. Treatment of craving by drugs inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin into afferant neurons is discussed. Medication of this type is, however, hampered by cardiovascular side effects observed with fenfluramines.