Crave Crush Behavioral Study

Obesity

The purpose of the research is to determine if participants who take Crave Crush will report lower cravings and palatability ratings of candy as compared to subjects who receive the placebo. Participants are self-selected university students who pass our table and verbally agree to participate in a research study about taste preferences. Data will be recorded anonymously.

When students approach the table, research assistants will ask them to choose their favorite kind of candy from an assortment. They will ask the subjects to rate their craving for the candy before they taste it. After they try the candy, the research assistants will ask them to rate its palatability. Then they will rate their craving for another piece of candy. A research assistant will flip a coin to determine whether the subject will receive Crave Crush or placebo. While the Crave Crush or placebo is dissolving in the mouth, the students will fill out a short questionnaire with an identification number. The questionnaire will ask for their age, gender, ethnicity, approximate height and weight, and a few questions about their dietary habits. After the tablet dissolves, research assistants will ask the students to rate their craving for another piece of candy. Research assistants will ask participants if they would like another piece of candy and have them assess palatability again. The process of offering a piece of candy and asking subjects to rate palatability will occur up to five times. Finally, subjects will be asked if they would like to take a few pieces of candy for the road and if they say yes, the number of pieces they take with them will be noted. The study activities should last no more than 5-10 minutes per participant.