title: Visual attention to food cues in obesity: an eye-tracking study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Based on the theory of incentive sensitization, the aim of this study was to investigate differences in attentional processing of food-related visual cues between normal-weight and overweight/obese males and females.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six normal-weight (14M, 12F) and 26 overweight/obese (14M, 12F) adults completed a visual probe task and an eye-tracking paradigm. Reaction times and eye movements to food and control images were collected during both a fasted and fed condition in a counterbalanced design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants had greater visual attention towards high-energy-density food images compared to low-energy-density food images regardless of hunger condition. This was most pronounced in overweight/obese males who had significantly greater maintained attention towards high-energy-density food images when compared with their normal-weight counterparts however no between weight group differences were observed for female participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-energy-density food images appear to capture visual attention more readily than low-energy-density food images. Results also suggest the possibility of an altered visual food cue-associated reward system in overweight/obese males. Attentional processing of food cues may play a role in eating behaviors thus should be taken into consideration as part of an integrated approach to curbing obesity.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, UK.
authors.forename: Katy J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Doolan
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Breslin
authors.forename: Donncha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003463:Cues; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*