title: The relation of hedonic hunger and restrained eating to lateralized frontal activation.
abstract: Asymmetrical alpha activation in the prefrontal cortex (frontal asymmetry) in electroencephalography (EEG) has been related to eating behavior. Prior studies linked dietary restraint with right frontal asymmetry [1] and disinhibition with left frontal asymmetry [2]. The current study simultaneously assessed restrained eating and hedonic hunger (drive for food reward in the absence of hunger) in relation to frontal asymmetry. Resting-state EEG and measures of restrained eating (Revised Restraint Scale; RRS) and hedonic hunger (Power of Food Scale; PFS) were assessed in 61 non-obese adults. Individually, hedonic hunger predicted left asymmetry. However, PFS and RRS were correlated (r=0.48, p<0.05) and there was a significant interaction between PFS and RRS on frontal asymmetry, p<0.01. Results indicated that those high in hedonic hunger exhibited left asymmetry irrespective of RRS scores; among those low in PFS, only those high in RRS showed right asymmetry. Results were consistent with literature linking avoidant behaviors (restraint) with right-frontal asymmetry and approach behaviors (binge eating) with left-frontal asymmetry. It appears that a strong drive toward palatable foods predominates at a neural level even when restraint is high. Findings suggest that lateralized frontal activity is an indicator of motivation both to consume and to avoid consuming highly palatable foods.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States. Electronic address: Samantha.r.winter@drexel.edu.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Feig
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kounios
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berkowitz
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012201:Reward
keywords: Appetite; EEG; Frontal asymmetry; Restraint