Can training reduce the impact of impulsiveness on food intake?

Several self-control theories indicate that one of the most important determinant of behavior toward high-energy density foods is the elicitation of motor impulses (the unintentional tendency to move) towards these foods. A recent study show that training can restrict these motor impulses and end up in reduced caloric intake. This study was conducted in 84 obese and over-weight people. Participants were allocated randomly in one of two groups: the training group and the control group. The training group received 4 training sessions in one-week time.

The training sessions included the following procedure: Participants were presented with either pictures of low-caloric food, pictures of high-caloric food or pictures of non-food. The pictures of low-caloric food and some of no-food participants were presented with a go sign and participants had to press a button as quickly and accurately as possible. High-caloric food and some non-food pictures were presented with a no-go sign which was a signal for participants to withhold their response.

Weight, energy intake and evaluation of food was measured before and after the training. Results showed that participants that received training lost weight and reduced the energy intake as well as their positive evaluations in high-caloric foods. The study concluded that response inhibition training can potentially provide some promising solutions in the area of loss weight.

References

Lawrence, N. S., O’Sullivan, J., Parslow, D., Javaid, M., Adams, R., Chambers, C., et al. (2015b). Training response inhibition to food is associated with weight loss and reduced energy intake. Appetite, 95, 17e28.