Visual attention bias for food cues : an eye-tracking study

Details

Supervisors

Luminet, Olivier ; Zamariola, Giorgia

Faculty

Faculté de psychologie, logopédie, sexologie et des sciences de la famille

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences psychologiques

Abstract

Experts state that obesity is a growing problem all over the world. Alongside the search for effective prevention and treatment methods for this medical condition, scientific interest attention for food is increasing. In the present master's thesis, we will mainly concentrate on obesity and attention for food. In fact, we think that a better comprehension of individuals' attention for food might be a key-element in the management of obesity. In the first part of this master’s thesis we will address several important theoretical aspects. A review of the literature provides relevant information about obesity, attention in general, attention for food, as well as about the independent variables and eye-tracking paradigm that have been used in the study. In this theoretical part it becomes clear that the search for effective prevention and treatment methods needs to be pursued. Additionally, the review of the literature shows that previous studies on attention for food have had contradictory results, and that extended research is necessary. In the experimental part of this study we tested our eleven hypotheses. Our findings partially supported our hypothesis which postulates that people have higher attention for food, especially unhealthy, in comparison with neutral objects. Another hypothesis, postulating that women have higher attention for healthy food and that emotional eating would serve as a moderator in this relationship was partially supported by our findings as well. Additionally, the results supported our hypotheses postulating that external eating, nutrition involvement and BMI affected attention for food. Our other hypotheses were not confirmed by our results. These results emphasize that attention for food can be greater within some individuals, which is particularly interesting in view of promoting healthier lifestyles. Finally, some limitations of the present study as well as perspectives for further research are discussed.