M A R I O N M . H E T H E R I N G T O N , M A RT I N F. R E G A N

EFFECTS OF CHEWING GUM ON SHORT-TERM APPETITE REGULATION IN

MODERATELY RESTRAINED EATERS

By: Eliza Wendel

INTRODUCTION

• Energy dense snacks high in saturated fats + high sugars weight gain

• Link between increased snack intake and being overweight or obese

Restrained Eater = restricts food intake in order to either lose weight or maintain their weight

• Cephalic Phase Insulin Release from the sight, smell, thought, and taste offood• The greater the appetite, the greaterthe release

OROSENSORY STIMULATION

Satiation

Chewing

Taste

Smell

PURPOSE

To examine whether chewing gum suppresses hunger, cravings, and food intake in restrained eaters.

HYPOTHESIS

Prior chewing of sweetened gum will reduce subsequent snack food intake and subjective appetite in moderately restrained eaters.

PARTICIPANTS

• University of Leeds, U.K. • Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire Participants:• 18-55 years old• Not underweight• Full set of teeth• Not pregnant or breastfeeding• Moderate cognitive restraint (> 2.0)• Good health with no allergies to gum • No interfering meds • Snacked and chewed gum regularly

METHODS

• Within-subjects designExperimental Groups:1. Gum Chewing and Salty Snacks2. Gum Chewing and Sweet Snacks3. NO Gum Chewing and Salty Snacks4. NO Gum Chewing and Sweet Snacks• All participants ate breakfast at home• Came to laboratory for a fixed lunch

FIXED LUNCH

METHODS CONT’D. Post Lunch (15 minutes):• “How strong is your desire to eat a sweet snack?”• “How strong is your desire to eat a salty snack?”• Stressed, Relaxed, Anxious, or Content

3 Hours Post Lunch until Snack:• 2 occasions chewed gum for at least 15 minutes at hourly intervals• 2 occasions did not chew gum

Snack (3 hours post-lunch):• Same post-lunch questions• Gum group chewed gum upon arrival for 15 minutes• No gum group rested upon arrival

• Snack: 500 kcal Questions again asked after snack as well as 1 and 2 hours after snack• Could leave and complete food diary to return at the end of the day

RESULTS

A) Snack Intake • ANOVA testing• Gum group ate 10% less snack by weight• 43.2 +/- 3 grams comp-ared to 48.2 +/- 3 grams

• Sweet snacks consumed more than salty

RESULTS

B) Hunger, Fullness, Desire to Eat

RESULTS

C) Cravings • Increased over time for both groups• No gum group had stronger cravings for both salty and

sweet snacks D) Pleasantness and desire to eat snacks• Gum decreased pleasantness of snacks reduced

desire• Salty were rated higher than sweet

E) Ratings of Mood• Both groups rated mood more positive after eating

increased contentment and relaxation decreased stress

DISCUSSION

Stimulated Orosensor

y Stimulatio

n

Gum

Decreased desire

Decreased hunger

• Gum influences appetite and satiation but reasons are still unknown

• Possibly from orosensory stimulation similar to consuming actual food

Questions?