Repository logo

Browsing by Author "Pagliassotti, Mike, advisor"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Food as a visual cue: an analysis of perception, behavior and neural activity
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2009) Burger, Kyle S., author; Johnson, Susan L., advisor; Pagliassotti, Mike, advisor
    Intake regulation is a complex process impacted by a number of factors such as homeostatic, environmental and hedonic influences. Previous models of intake regulation tend to not take into account the large influence that the environment (e.g., visual cues) has on eating behavior. Little work has been completed that evaluates the interrelationship of environment, psychology and physiology relations' to eating behavior. A new model of intake regulation, including aspects of environment, psychology and physiology serves as the basis for this investigation. A series of three studies were completed. The first study evaluated the effect of visual cues i.e., portion size and blindfolding on energy intake. The second study used a computer program to assess individuals' subjective hedonic ratings (i.e., liking and wanting) of food images. The third study used neuroimaging to evaluate individuals' brain activity in response to food images. The first study demonstrated that energy intake increased 26% and bite size increased 2.3g/bite in response to presentation to a large portion. This was driven by overweight individuals. No portion by blindfolding interaction was found, indicating that blindfolding did not attenuate the portion size effect. It was observed in the second study that ratings for wanting were consistently higher that ratings for liking and fruits were the highest rated foods. In addition, in a fed state, overweight individuals rated large portions of food higher smaller portions of food for wanting, but not liking. Ratings for liking were related to activation of the posterior cingulate (decision making). It was also observed that dietary restraint was related to suppression of activity in the anterior cingulate (food reward). An increase in portion size appears to impact overweight individuals' energy intake (which occurs via changes in bite size) and ratings for wanting. A positive energy state could affect ratings for wanting but not liking. This decrease in wanting could be interpreted as dietary restraint which might function by decreasing brain activity in food reward related regions. Studying a comprehensive model including of intake environment, perception, behavior and physiology provides valuable insight to the interrelationship of all of eating behavior.