Predicting Food Cravings: A Piece of Cake or a Hard Nut To Crack?

Abstract

The present study aimed to extend previous research investigating the relationships between predictors of food cravings in order to produce some preliminary findings in relation to the variable of sweet food cravings and its relationship to body image avoidance. The sample consisted of 139 university students (36 men and 103 women) at least 18 years old. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed on body image avoidance, trait anxiety and BMI to examine predictors of food cravings. Both body image avoidance and gender separately predicted cravings for sweet foods, with women experiencing more sweet food cravings than men. However, no significant relationship was found between body image avoidance and general food cravings. BMI was not related to trait anxiety. Further implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed.