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Impact of interoceptive and exteroceptive attention during a lunch meal on appetite, pleasure, sensory-specific desires, and post-study consumption in healthy adult women

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Attention to interoceptive (bodily sensations) and exteroceptive (sensory cues) signals while eating has previously been associated with more conscious food choices. However, the immediate effects of such attentional focus on appetite and subsequent intake are not fully understood. We investigated whether written instructions guiding attention to interoceptive, exteroceptive, or combined cues during a lunch meal influenced appetite, food-related pleasure, sensory-specific desires, and post-study consumption behaviour in healthy adult women. Potential effects of Body Mass Index (BMI) classification were also explored. Ninety-seven participants completed two test days. On test day 1, all participants completed a session where attention was directed to aspects of physical surroundings (e.g., lighting, sound). On test day 2, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: 1. attention to environmental cues (repeated day 1), 2. Attention to interoceptive cues, 3. Attention to exteroceptive cues, or 4. Attention to combined interoceptive and exteroceptive cues. The focus of their attention, subjective appetite ratings, and post-study food intake were assessed. Our findings showed that attention could be successfully directed to the desired cues via written instructions, and while immediate appetite-related responses did not significantly differ between conditions, subtle changes in post-study consumption behaviour were observed. No difference was found based on participants' BMI classification. The ability to successfully direct participants' attention through brief written instructions in our study highlights a promising methodological tool for future studies exploring mechanisms behind eating behaviour and decision-making.

Source: Food Quality and Preference

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2025.105687

Authors: Chanette Frederiksen, Derek Victor Byrne, Martin R. Yeomans, Barbara Vad Andersen

Institutions: Aarhus University, Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Sussex

Language: English

Topic: Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,420