None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This project is a pilot study in female adults to investigate new novel biomarkers of food addiction. Current food addiction research in humans largely relies on the use of self reported surveys which are prone to a reporting bias. Oxytocin is a peptide released from the hypothalamus (a region of the brain) that has been shown to be implicated in other more common forms of addiction such as drug and alcohol addiction. More recently this peptide has been investigated as a treatment option for drug and alcohol addiction and shown promising results. This project will recruit females >18yrs to determine if oxytocin is associated with food addiction and if concentrations of oxytocin can be changed in response to visual food stimuli. Study Aims: 1) To measure appetite hormones, chiefly plasma oxytocin concentrations, in females with and without food addiction of varying weight statuses 2) To determine if plasma oxytocin is responsive to visual food cues and if different food categories (healthy vs. hyperpalatable) can elicit different responses in females with and without food addiction of varying weight statuses
Interventions
Participants will complete complete a series of standardised questionnaires (i.e. The Australian Eating Survey, Yale Food Addiction Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, Substance Use Risk Profile Scale, Binge Eating Scale, Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) prior to attending a one-off experimental session at the University of Newcastle. On arrival, following an overnight fast, participants will have their height and weight measured and complete a self-report me
Participants will complete complete a series of standardised questionnaires (i.e. The Australian Eating Survey, Yale Food Addiction Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, Substance Use Risk Profile Scale, Binge Eating Scale, Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) prior to attending a one-off experimental session at the University of Newcastle. On arrival, following an overnight fast, participants will have their height and weight measured and complete a self-report measure of current hunger (Visual Analogue Scale). Participants will be randomly allocated (block design) via computer-based program to one of two groups. An initial blood sample will be collected (time point 1), participants will then view a 10 minute paradigm of food images (group 1 to view healthy images and group 2 to view hyperpalatable foods) presented on a laptop computer (PowerPoint slideshow). Immediately after viewing the images participants will undergo a second blood test (time point 2), and then remain in a controlled environment where there was no visual stimuli for 15 min (wash-out period). A third blood sample will then be collected prior to viewing the second image paradigm, opposite of the first set of food images (time point 3). After this set of images participants will undergo a fourth blood test (time point 4). Participants will then complete another hunger rating scale before consuming a standardised breakfast. The session will take approximately 60 min to complete and participants will be reimbursed AUD50 for travel and time. Image paradigms: all stimuli to be used in this task has previously been rated in a pilot study (n=10 adults, independent of those involved in the present study) to ensure foods are representative of each of the two categories, and food images are readily identifiable i.e. recognisable and familiar, and shown in an appetising manner for Australian adults. Images are from a licensed database and non-copyrighted sources. Healthy food pictures are based on the five core food groups, and hyperpalatable food pictures based on foods categorised as discretionary choices, outlined in The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) will provide pre and post summary scores to aid in determining if the image paradigms were effective in eliciting appetite and hunger responses (measure of intervention adherence). To maintain fidelity the experimental sessions will be conducted in the same laboratory room and the same two research staff will conduct the sessions each time. On each occasion, one researcher (registered dietitian) will record anthropometric measures and implement the intervention, and the other researcher (trained phlebotomist) will collect pre and post blood samples.
Sponsors
University of Newcastle
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Females 18-85yrs, able to comprehend English, willing to attend the University of Newcastle for a one off occasion. Females with and without food addiction, from a previous study sample [Burrows et al, Differences in Dietary Preferences, Personality and Mental Health in Australian Adults with and without Food Addiction. Nutrients. 2017; 9(3). pii: E285. doi: 10.3390/nu9030285] which investigated food addiction and mental health, who agreed to be recontacted for future studies, will be invited to participate via email.
Exclusion criteria
No existing health conditions or conditions which effect dietary intake (e.g. Coeliac; food allergies or intolerances), binge eating disorder, substance use disorder, current smokers, pregnant or lactating women, use of anti-depressant drugs or undergoing steroid treatment, cognitive impairment or mental health condition (e.g. bipolar disorder or psychosis) requiring ongoing psychiatric treatment.
Outcome results
None listed