title: Comparison of acceptance-based and standard cognitive-based coping strategies for craving sweets in overweight and obese women.
abstract: Existing strategies for coping with food cravings are of unknown efficacy and rely on principles that have been shown to have paradoxical effects. The present study evaluated novel, acceptance-based strategies for coping with craving by randomly assigning 48 overweight women to either an experimental psychological acceptance-oriented intervention or a standard cognitive reappraisal/distraction intervention. Participants were required to carry a box of sweets on their person for 72 h while abstaining from any consumption of sweets. Results suggested that the acceptance-based coping strategies resulted in lower cravings and reduced consumption, particularly for those who demonstrate greater susceptibility to the presence of food and report a tendency to engage in emotional eating.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, MS 626, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. evan.forman@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Evan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.forename: Kimberly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Adrienne S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Juarascio
authors.forename: Meghan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Butryn
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Herbert
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult