Food addiction: why your mind matters
A world-first, personality-based online intervention for food addiction is being developed by a team* of dietitians, psychologists, neuroscientists, occupational therapists and health researchers.
This collaboration between the University of Newcastle, the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Queensland is exploring the role that personality traits play in food addiction and whether addressing this issue can lead to better health outcomes.
Food addiction is estimated to affect around 20% of the population, and is more common in those who are overweight, obese or who have mental health conditions. The symptoms of food addiction include cravings, withdrawals, and repeated attempts to cut down or quit certain foods.
Many diet and exercise interventions fail in the long-run as they don’t address the psychological causes of addictive eating.
As part of this research, PhD student Rebecca McKenna is recruiting participants for an Australia-wide study to assess a telehealth intervention aimed at improving eating behaviours in people who have addictive eating behaviours.
“This is not a weight loss study,” Ms McKenna says. “It’s about helping people develop a better relationship with food.”
The team is seeking Australian men and women aged 18+ who are above their healthy weight and exhibit symptoms of addicted eating behaviour to take part in a randomised, controlled trial. Participants will be required to complete an online eligibility questionnaire to assess their suitability: https://tinyurl.com/FoodFix
Selected participants will receive three one-on-one telehealth sessions over three months to help them set healthy eating goals and develop better eating habits.
“We’ll set goals around food intake and then we’ll address their personality traits which may influence their eating behaviour and incorporate coping skills and goal setting around that,” Ms McKenna explains. “We’re actually looking to improve mental health outcomes and reduce levels of anxiety and depression in the context of food addiction.”
“We’re looking to give people the coping skills that they need so they can address their addictive eating and reduce the amount that they’re eating,” Ms McKenna says.
* HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.
** This study is funded by the Society for Mental Health Research.
*** The Research Team: A/Prof Tracy Burrows, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Dr Megan Rollo, School of Health Science, The University of Newcastle, Rebecca McKenna, PhD Student (Nutrition and Dietetics), The University of Newcastle, Professor Leanne Hides, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, A/Prof Frances Kay-Lambkin, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, A/ Prof Chris Dayas, School of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Dr Kirsti Haracz, School of Health Science, The University of Newcastle.
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