Sex Differences in Effects of Mood, Eating-Related Behaviors, and BMI on Food Appeal and Desire to Eat: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract

Although sex differences in food intake have been observed consistently, contributing factors are not well understood. Using a cross-sectional online survey (n = 306; 151 men, 155 women), this study aimed to assess how sex impacts relationships between food ratings (appeal/desire to eat for high-calorie (HC) and low-calorie (LC) food images) and eating-related attitudes/behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and mood. Across participants, increased state- and trait-based hunger, disinhibition, and cravings were associated with both increased HC appeal and desire (p < 0.001). Increased state-based hunger and cravings were associated with greater LC desire (p < 0.001). Greater satiety was associated with decreased desire for both HC and LC (p < 0.001), while greater anxiety was associated with increased desire for both HC and LC (p < 0.001). Significant associations between BMI and food ratings were not observed. Women reported greater dietary restraint, trait-based hunger, disinhibition, eating disorder-related behaviors, depression, and stress compared to men, in addition to greater appeal and familiarity with LC foods (all p < 0.05). Significant effects of sex on the associations between food ratings and eating-related attitudes/behaviors, BMI, and mood were not observed, however. Findings support the importance of considering mood and eating-related attitudes/behaviors in investigations of food cue responsivity.

Keywords: appetite; eating behaviors; mood; sex differences; visual food cues.

Figure 1

Representative selection of significant effects observed for associations with high-calorie (HC) food ratings (variables selected were ones in which significant effects were also observed for low-calorie (LC) food ratings, as shown in Figure 2). Significant associations were observed between: (A) HC appeal ratings (“Appeal”) and scores on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) disinhibition subscale (F(1,301) = 47.45, p < 0.001); (B) HC desire to eat ratings (“Desire”) and Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ-S) scores (F(1,301) = 137.24, p < 0.001); (C) HC desire to eat ratings and visual analog scale (VAS) ratings of satiety (F(1,301) = 20.32, p < 0.001); (D) HC desire to eat ratings and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores (F(1,301) = 20.32, p < 0.001).

Figure 2

Representative selection of significant effects observed for associations with low-calorie (LC) food ratings (variables selected were ones in which significant effects were also observed for high-calorie (HC) food ratings, as shown in Figure 1). Significant associations were observed between: (A) LC appeal ratings (“Appeal”) and scores on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) disinhibition subscale (F(1,301) = 12.15, p < 0.001); (B) LC desire to eat ratings (“Desire”) and Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ-S) scores (F(1,301) = 40.66, p < 0.001); (C) LC desire to eat ratings and visual analog scale (VAS) ratings of satiety (F(1,301) = 29.25, p < 0.001); (D) LC desire to eat ratings and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores (F(1,301) = 16.45, p < 0.001).