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Thesis
The interactive effects of hunger, food cues and dieting on brain activation: an fMRI study
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001254
Abstract
Obesity is a continuously growing problem in the developed Western world, but the nature of weight gain proneness is still unclear. Measures of dieting behavior have been shown to predict future weight gain; it is of interest whether biobehavioral variables exist that differentiate dieters from nondieters. This study examined brain activation in response to food stimuli in Historical Dieters, Current Dieters and Nondieters. Historical Dieters were hypothesized to demonstrate elevated reward-circuitry activation in a fed state as compared to Nondieters. Examination of activation in Current Dieters was exploratory. Thirty participants were recruited from undergraduate psychology courses for this study. Participants were shown pictures of highly palatable foods, moderately palatable foods, non-food items and romantic scenarios while being scanned in an fMRI BOLD paradigm. Romantic cues were included to control for general positive experience. When fasted and viewing highly palatable food, neither nondieters nor frequent dieters showed any significant activation in regions of interest. When fed, frequent dieters showed widespread activation in the ROIs associated with desirability of food, craving and motivation to eat, while nondieters did not. Current dieters demonstrated differential activation as compared to frequent dieters, but pattern of arousal changed whether comparing highly palatable to moderately palatable food or to nonfood stimuli. Frequent dieters may experience greater food reward after having eaten than before, making them likely to overeat. This is consistent with research identifying this group as prone to weight gain. Current dieters demonstrated a differential pattern of activation dependent on the comparison images, suggesting that moderately palatable food may be particularly evocative for this group.
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Details
- Title
- The interactive effects of hunger, food cues and dieting on brain activation
- Creators
- Alice Valiant Ely
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor) - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3720; 991019070013904721