FOOD INTAKE CONTROL

Environmental factors increasing consumers' food intake: developing effective intervention strategies to faciliate consumers' self-control

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Unhealthy food choices and eating too much are important risk factors for diet-related illnesses (such as diabetes, cancer), and for early deaths as a result of these illnesses. Consequently, the challenges of overweight are very high on the agenda of the European Commission. It is increasingly recognised that the (obesogenic) environment is a key factor in over-consumption. Subtle factors in the food environment stimulate consumers to consume more than is good for them, often without consumers recognising it. An important policy challenge is to stimulate environments that help consumers to better self-regulate their behaviour, for which we need to understand the environmental cues that cause consumers to unknowingly overeat. The proposed research will focus on environmental cues that affect food intake. The present research aims to: (1) understand how and when the food environment impacts food intake, (2) critically assess novel intervention strategies that support consumers’ self-regulatory ability to overcome over-consumption, (3) develop key policy recommendations on real-life interventions that could facilitate consumers’ self-control. Methodologically, the project combines laboratory experimental studies on food intake in the outgoing phase at Cornell University in the US with intervention testing studies in the return phase (Wageningen University, The Netherlands), thereby taking best advantage of the unique combination of research infrastructures of the outgoing host (Cornell’s Food and Brand Lab) and return host (Wageningen’s Restaurant of the Future). For me personally, this project would enable me to be trained and acquire new knowledge in the leading edge research setting at Cornell University and in this way support my ambition to be a leading scientist in this field in Europe. Building a global professional network in this important research area would strengthen the European research base and contribute to the well-being of European citizens.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Being aware of external drivers that help overeaters gain or lose weight, from advertising to shopping, can help them control their weight more effectively. New guidelines to this effect are in the making.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Overeating and obesity have seen unprecedented rises in the EU leading to diseases such as diabetes and cancer, and subsequently increased mortality rates. The EU-funded project FOOD Intake Control is developing effective intervention strategies to facilitate self control. The project has underlined environmental cues that lead to overeating and is supporting policies to stimulate environments in order to curb the phenomenon.

To achieve its aims the project team is examining all the cues and specific time periods involved in the lack of self control and overeating. It has successfully conducted experiments that reveal consumption norms, portion sizes and the role of advertising in weight gain. Studies have also been conducted on snacks and meals eaten outside the home, as well as on overeaters' regulatory mechanisms used to alleviate their guilt and reduce weight quickly.

Armed with the results of these observations, the project is evaluating new intervention strategies that promote a person's self-regulatory ability to tackle overeating. It is outlining policy recommendations that help diminish unhealthy food impulses and strengthen self control. One of these recommendations involves nudging the consumer towards targeting healthier options outside the home such as canteens and health-oriented stores, without limiting freedom of choice.

So far, the project has published two papers in this respect with more on the way. There have also been efforts to disseminate the project results through blogs, the media, conferences and seminars. This action-oriented research approach on self control can play an important role in Europe's experimental food research and contribute to the well-being of overweight people around the globe.