“Mind over muffins”: A study exploring the effect of body image, BMI and placebo effect on food choices

This research aimed to investigate whether food choices can be affected by placebo suggestions and the role of body image satisfaction and Body Mass Index (BMI) in this placebo effect. This study involved 22 participants aged 18-35. In the placebo group, participants received suggestions that a vagus nerve stimulation will decrease their hunger, while the control group received no suggestions. The vagus nerve stimulation was a sham procedure and did not stimulate the nerve. Participants' BMI was calculated followed by measuring body image satisfaction by completing the Body Self Image Questionnaire (BSIQ). Hunger was measured at baseline and post-suggestions. Additionally, food choice was measured with a computer task, in which participants had to choose between healthy and unhealthy food items. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the placebo and control groups for food choice (p = 0.56), baseline hunger (p = 0.69), and hunger post suggestions (p = 0...Show moreThis research aimed to investigate whether food choices can be affected by placebo suggestions and the role of body image satisfaction and Body Mass Index (BMI) in this placebo effect. This study involved 22 participants aged 18-35. In the placebo group, participants received suggestions that a vagus nerve stimulation will decrease their hunger, while the control group received no suggestions. The vagus nerve stimulation was a sham procedure and did not stimulate the nerve. Participants' BMI was calculated followed by measuring body image satisfaction by completing the Body Self Image Questionnaire (BSIQ). Hunger was measured at baseline and post-suggestions. Additionally, food choice was measured with a computer task, in which participants had to choose between healthy and unhealthy food items. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the placebo and control groups for food choice (p = 0.56), baseline hunger (p = 0.69), and hunger post suggestions (p = 0.96). Additionally, hunger did not predict healthy food choice (p = 0.89) and body image (p = 0.77) and BMI (p = 0.32) did not moderate the effect of the suggestions on food choice. These results indicate that short suggestions might not be enough to affect hunger and food choices. The lack of effect found might be due to a small sample size and future research should include larger samples and longitudinal research design. Understanding the role of expectations and placebo effects in hunger, can in the future help develop strategies to promote healthier eating.Show less

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“Mind over muffins”: A study exploring the effect of body image, BMI and placebo effect on food choices