Cognitive Distraction on Food Intake: Randomized Crossover Exploratory Study

Effect of a Cognitive Distraction on Amount, Preference, and Memory of Food Consumed: a Randomized Crossover Exploratory Study

This study determined effects of a cognitive distraction on amount, preference, and memory of food consumed and perceptions of fullness, hunger, and enjoyment of food in a healthy young-adult population. A randomized controlled crossover study of 119 healthy adults, assigned to begin in either the distracted or control condition, was conducted.

Environmental distractions have been shown to affect eating patterns. Influences of food environments on consumption patterns and not simply food choices are becoming increasingly clear for their contributions to energy intake. Of particular interest is the presence of distraction. It has been postulated that when distracted, individuals are inclined to consumer more than when not distracted. However, how distraction and memory impact subsequent food choice and preference is less well known. A Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) task was applied to distract individuals while eating; food intake and food behaviors were measured after RVIP distraction and compared to food intake and food behaviors without distraction in the same individuals.

Distraction, Eating behavior, Fullness, Hunger, Ingestive behavior, Rapid visual information processing

Randomized controlled crossover study where participants were assigned to begin in the distracted or control condition. One week later, participants completed the opposite condition.

A series of numbers appeared on a computer screen at a rate of one per minute. Each participant was required to identify any series of three consecutive odd or even numbers by hitting the space bar on the keyboard. The task lasted 15 minutes and included a 1-minute practice session before food being served. Participants were instructed to eat at will while completing the computer task.

How much did you enjoy the meal provided? by 100mm visual analog scale; 0=not at all to 100=very much

Inclusion Criteria: able to read and speak English and willing to consume foods provided during the study Exclusion Criteria: adhering to any dietary restrictions or diets, having any food allergies, and/or having any chronic or metabolic diseases

De-identified data will be shared if required by journal requirements and/or as requested by other researchers

Contact with the primary investigator using criteria of co-publishing, collaborating on same topic, or using data as preliminary findings for further studies; primary investigator will review requests

Liguori CA, Nikolaus CJ, Nickols-Richardson SM. Cognitive Distraction at Mealtime Decreases Amount Consumed in Healthy Young Adults: A Randomized Crossover Exploratory Study. J Nutr. 2020 May 1;150(5):1324-1329. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxaa022.