Investigation on factors related to eating behaviors in obese adults using ecological momentary assessment

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23700818
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied health science
• Research Institution: National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: KIKUCHI Hiroe 独立行政法人国立精神・神経医療研究センター, 精神保健研究所 心身医学研究部, 室長 (10581788)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 食行動 / 日常生活下調査 / EMA / 携帯情報端末 / 肥満

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is important to know how psychosocial factors are related to eating behaviors when trying to reduce weight in obese people particularly through behavior change techniques. In this study, adult obese and normal-weight participants recorded　psychosocial factors and food intake by using ambulatory assessments (ecological momentary assessment and a smartphone-based food recording system). Based on the ecologically valid and nutritionally accurate data, it was revealed that energy intake was significantly associated with pre-meal stress, pre-meal cravings, dining out and companions. It was also shown that salt intake was significantly associated with decrease in stress and anxiety after meals. It would be helpful to further investigate individual differences and clinical populations with disordered eating behaviors.

Free Research Field

行動医学、心身医学