Hedonic hunger

Hedonic hunger or hedonic hyperphagia is the "drive to eat to obtain pleasure in the absence of an energy deficit".^[1] Particular foods may have a high "hedonic rating"^[2] or individuals may have increased susceptibility to environmental food cues.^[3] Weight loss programs may aim to control or to compensate for hedonic hunger.^[4] Therapeutic interventions may influence hedonic eating behavior.^[5]

Background

Although hunger may arise from energy or nutrient deficits, as would be expected in the set-point theories of hunger and eating, hunger may arise more commonly from anticipated

A related phenomenon, specific appetite, also known as specific hunger, is conceptually related to, but distinct from, hedonic hunger. Specific appetite is a drive to eat foods with specific flavors or other characteristics: in usage, specific appetite has put greater emphasis on an individual who adaptationally learns a particular appetite behavior rather than an evolutionarily innate, hedonic appetite preference.

Food variability

A "hedonic rating" of foods reflects those individuals are more likely to eat even though they aren't hungry.^[10][18][19] For example, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning suggests that fed rats show a high preference for a mixture of fat and carbohydrate in the form of potato chips compared to their standard chow or single macronutrient foods.^[20] When binge eating occurs without the presence of energy deprivation, researchers think it is due to frequent exposure to palatable food.^[1] Another study evaluated how hedonic ratings of individual foods aggregate into the food components of particular types of meals, and related preferences to overall dietary intake.^[21]

Interpersonal variability

Individuals may have increased hedonic hunger susceptibility to environmental food cues.^[2] Genetic variability may influence hedonic hyperphagia.^[10][16] Variation in hedonic hunger levels from person to person may be key in determining success in weight loss tactics and a person's ability to cope with tempting foods that are readily available. To assess this, a Power of Food Scale (PFS) has been developed that quantifies a person's appetitive anticipation (not consumption).^{[1][3][22][23]} Binge-eaters, obese individuals and those with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa scored higher than restrictive type and normal weight college students.^[1] A decrease in PFS score leads to better success in weight loss.^[2]

Food reinforcement

The reinforcing value of food refers to how hard someone is willing to work to obtain food.^[24] Food reinforcement is influenced by several factors including food palatability, food deprivation, and food variety. It is also motivated by concerns about fullness (expected satiation) and the hunger that might be experienced in the intervening period between meals (expected satiety). The effector mechanisms of food reinforcement depend on dopaminergic activity in the brain.^[24]

Treatment

Conceptually, weight loss programs might target control of hedonic hunger.^[4][10] Specific research to determine what diet techniques would be most beneficial for those with an increased hedonic hunger would help people modify their immediate availability of food or its palatability.^[3] For example, whole grain popcorn may be a better choice than potato chips due to a lower calorie load and an increased sense of satiety.^[25] Adding dietary fiber to foods and beverages increases satiety and reduces energy intake at the next meal.^[26] Low-energy-density foods with high satiating power may be useful tools for weight management.^[27] Satiety has been found to be greater with yogurt beverages than fruit juice, and was equal with low-energy-density yogurt with inulin and high-energy-density yogurt.^[27] People with high PFS scores may do better with meal replacement products.^[2][28]

• Eating disorder
• Emotional eating
• Ghrelin
• Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist
• Melanin-concentrating hormone
• Peptide YY
• Specific appetite

References