Ambivalence toward healthy and unhealthy food and moderation by individual differences in restrained eating. (1st September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Norris, Catherine J.; Do, Elena; Close, Emma; Deswert, Sky
• Is Part Of: Appetite. Volume 140(2019)
• Page Start: 309
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2019-09-01
• Subjects: Mixed feelings -- Subjective ambivalence -- Objective ambivalence -- Positivity -- Negativity -- Dieters; Food habits -- Periodicals; Appetite -- Periodicals; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.05.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6663

Abstract

Abstract: Food may be a particularly ambivalent stimulus, as it may be associated with high feelings of both positivity and negativity (objective ambivalence), in addition to feelings of conflict (subjective ambivalence). In this study we examine objective and subjective ambivalence toward healthy and unhealthy food, as well as nonfood objects. We show that food (particularly unhealthy food) images do elicit higher ambivalence than nonfood images, particularly due to increased negative feelings. Furthermore, individuals higher in eating restraint showed increased objective and subjective ambivalence to healthy food, suggesting that food may be a highly arousing, conflicting stimulus for constant dieters. Implications for treatment of eating disorders and for future research on food consumption are discussed.