60 Food Choice
distraction on the eating behavior of dieters and nondieters (see chapter
7 for definitions). Restrained (dieters) and unrestrained eaters (nondieters)
were given a preload that they were told was either high or low in calories
and then were either distracted or not distracted. Their food intake was
then measured in a taste test. The results showed that the restrained eaters ate
particularly more than the unrestrained eaters in the high-calorie condition
if they were distracted. The authors argued that the restrained eaters have
a limited cognitive capacity, and when this capacity is “filled” up by the
distraction their preoccupation with food can be translated into eating.
In general, it is argued that when distracted from eating, the individual
becomes less aware of how much they are eating and develops a less vivid
memory of their food intake. Accordingly, they eat more both at the time
and after, regardless of how hungry they are or how much food has actually
been consumed earlier on in the day. If this person is a dieter and is gen-
erally trying to eat less, then when distracted or not focusing on eating,
they may eat even more as their guard is down, and their obsession with
food that has built up is allowed to trigger overeating. Although mindless
eating is seen as problematic as it encourages overeating, it could be used
as a strategy to promote healthiereating in children if they were offered
fruit or vegetables in front of the TV rather than sweets or popcorn.
As a further means to explain the impact of stress on food intake, some
studies have addressed a possible physiological pathway. For example, one
experimental study examined the impact of stress-induced arousal (blood
pressure and heart rate), and reported that arousal predicted food con-
sumption but only in nondieters (Rutledge and Linden, 1998). Impaired
physiological recovery rates were also only associated with food intake in
the dieting group. In a similar vein, Epel et al. (2001) measured cortisol
levels following experimentally induced stress, and concluded that high
cortisol reactivity following stress was related to an increased consump-
tion of calories. Epel et al. (2000) also reported an association between a
high waist-to-hip ratio and cortisol reactivity following stress. These studies
suggest that stress may relate to food intake via a physiological pathway by
increasing arousal and/or cortisol.
In summary, stress is associated with food choice. However, this associa-
tion is often contradictory, and it has been hypothesized that individual
factors may explain this paradox. In particular, research has highlighted a
role for gender, dieting, and physiological changes. These factors may
individually influence food intake or may work in association with each
other. The research is still in its early stages.