Factors That Influence Food Amount Ratings by White,Hispanic, and Asian Samples

Objective: Two studies explored in nonclinical samples variables that may influence meal size assessments. Research Methods and Procedures: In Study 1, the contribution of dietary restraint, weight, depressive symptoms, and gender to ratings on the Food Amount Rating Scale was examined in 153 white women and 121 white men; in Study 2, the contribution of dietary restraint, weight, ethnicity, and ethnic group identification to Food Amount Rating Scale ratings was examined in 67 Asian, 81 Hispanic, and 107 white women. Results: Study 1 indicated that food amounts were rated as larger when rated by male rather than female raters (male rater, mean = 62.37, SD = 1.14; female rater, mean = 59.28, SD = 0.89), for female rather than male targets (male target, mean = 56.16, SD = 0.97; female target, mean = 64.87, SD = 1.02), and by restrained rather than unrestrained eaters (restrained, mean = 63.14, SD = 1.11; unrestrained, mean = 58.69, SD = 0.91). Study 2 indicated that food amounts were rated as larger when rated by restrained eaters (restrained, mean = 67.53, SD = 1.21; unrestrained, mean = 64.99, SD = 1.09), Hispanic women (Asian, mean = 64.59, SD = 1.61; Hispanic, mean = 68.71, SD = 1.30; white, mean = 65.41, SD = 1.34), and underweight women (underweight, mean = 70.38, SD = 1.68; normal weight, mean = 64.52, SD = 0.93; overweight: mean = 64.23, SD = 1.64). Discussion: Food amount judgments may be influenced by personal characteristics. Future research should examine whether variation in food amount judgments is related to dieting behavior, disordered eating, or obesity.     

The nutritional consequences of rejecting food in the Ituri Forest of Zaire

Based on a representative sample of 449 different individuals, food avoidances are shown to be nutritionally insignificant on average for a population of horticulturalists and foragers living in the Ituri Forest of northeastern Zaire. However, due to variability in food-related beliefs, nutritional costs may be biologically significant for a few individuals. Less than 2% of potential dietary calories are restricted to horticulturalists on average due to food avoidances, while less than 1% is the average cost of these beliefs among foragers. When nutritional costs are calculated from reported avoidance rules rather than consumption practice, estimated costs are significantly inflated. These lower actual costs arise because individuals make use of rules that permit them to eat otherwise restricted foods. For example, eating specific plants is believed to prevent the illness that would otherwise follow the consumption of a tabooed food. Use of such exception rules significantly reduces the nutritional cost of food avoidances for many individuals in this population.     

Self-Efficacy in Overweight Individuals with Binge Eating Disorder

MILLER, PETER M., JULIA A. WATKINS, ROGER G. SARGENT, AND EDWARD J. RICKERT. Self-efficacy in overweight individuals with binge eating disorder. Obes Res. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between self-efficacy judgments in obese individuals with binge eating disorder, “borderline” binge eating disorder, and no binge eating problems. Research Methods and Procedures: Before participation in a residential weight management program, 79 male and female subjects were administered the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL) and the Binge Eating Scale (BES). Based on DSM-IV diagnostic questions, subjects were categorized as BED, Borderline BED, or non-BED. Results: Krusal-Wallace Rank-Order analysis of variance revealed significant negative associations between binge eating and total WEL scores as well as the subscales of Negative Emotions, Social Pressure, Physical Discomfort, and Positive Activities. Differences were significant between the BED and the Borderline BED groups with the exception of the Social Pressure scale and the Total WEL scores. BED diagnosis as well as severity of binge eating were strongly associated with low self-efficacy ratings. Discussion: These results indicate that obese individuals with binge eating disorder demonstrate lower self-efficacy than those without this condition and that self-efficacy is related to the severity of binge eating.     

Higher 24‐h Respiratory Quotient and Higher Spontaneous Physical Activity in Nighttime Eaters

We have previously shown that a higher 24‐h respiratory quotient (24‐h RQ) predicts greater ad‐libitum food intake and that nighttime eaters (NE) ingested more calories during an in‐patient food intake study and gained more weight over time. We investigated whether 24‐h RQ was higher in individuals who exhibited nighttime eating behavior. Healthy nondiabetic Pima Indians (PI; n = 97, 54 male/43 female) and whites (W; n = 32, 22 male/10 female) were admitted to our Clinical Research Unit. After 3 days of a weight maintaining diet, 24‐h energy expenditure (24‐h EE), 24‐h RQ, rates of carbohydrate (CHOX) and lipid oxidation (LIPOX), and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) were measured in a metabolic chamber whereas volunteers were in energy balance and unable to consume excess calories. Individuals subsequently ate ad libitum from a computerized vending machine for 3 days with amount and timing of food intake recorded. Fifty‐five individuals (36%; 39 PI, 16 W) were NE, who ate between 11 pm and 5 am on at least one of the 3 days on the vending machines. There were no differences in BMI or percentage body fat between NE and non‐NE. After adjusting for age, sex, race, fat‐free mass, fat mass, and energy balance, NE had a higher 24‐h RQ (P = 0.01), higher CHOX (P = 0.009), and lower LIPOX (P = 0.03) and higher 24‐h SPA (P = 0.04) compared to non‐NE. There were no differences in adjusted 24‐h EE or sleep RQ between the groups. Individuals with nighttime eating behavior have higher 24‐h RQ, higher CHOX and lower LIPOX, a phenotype associated with increased food intake and weight gain.     

The effect of individual and food characteristics on food retrieval and food sharing in captive Guinea baboons (Papio papio)

Access to food is of major importance to the fitness and survival of every individual, particularly in group-living animals, in which individual characteristics and food distribution can affect food intake. Additionally, several species of primates are known to share food under certain conditions. Such unresisted transfer of food from one individual to another appears to be adaptive, for instance as a tool to maintain and reinforce social bonds. In this study, we aimed to test how food retrieval and food sharing varies depending on the social relationship between individuals, and on the characteristics of the food. In six different test conditions, we provided a captive group of Guinea baboons (Papio papio, N = 23) with multiple food items, differing in quality, quantity, density, monopolizability, and effort required to obtain it. We further used behavioral observations to assess individual relationships and possible variations in grooming exchanges linked to food sharing events. Out of 424 events in which food items were retrieved by the subjects, we detected no instances of active food sharing and only 17 of passive food sharing. The way food was retrieved was affected by individual and food characteristics (i.e., quantity, quality, and monopolizability of food): Males and central individuals (i.e., those connected to many partners, and/or having partners with many connections in the social network) were more likely to retrieve food during test conditions. In particular, events of passive food sharing mostly happened when the quality of food was low, and between individuals belonging to the same community (i.e., having close relationships). No other food characteristics affected the probability to share food, and the occurrence of food sharing had no immediate effect on grooming exchanges. Overall, our findings suggest that food sharing is relatively rare in Guinea baboons unless the food has a low quality and individuals form close social bonds.     

Neural mechanisms underlying hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome

Objective: Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder associated with developmental delay, obesity, and obsessive behavior related to food consumption. The most striking symptom of PWS is hyperphagia; as such, PWS may provide important insights into factors leading to overeating and obesity in the general population. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study the neural mechanisms underlying responses to visual food stimuli, before and after eating, in individuals with PWS and a healthy weight control (HWC) group. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants were scanned once before (pre‐meal) and once after (post‐meal) eating a standardized meal. Pictures of food, animals, and blurred control images were presented in a block design format during acquisition of functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Results: Statistical contrasts in the HWC group showed greater activation to food pictures in the pre‐meal condition compared with the post‐meal condition in the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex (medial PFC), and frontal operculum. In comparison, the PWS group exhibited greater activation to food pictures in the post‐meal condition compared with the pre‐meal condition in the orbitofrontal cortex, medial PFC, insula, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus. Between‐group contrasts in the pre‐ and post‐meal conditions confirmed group differences, with the PWS group showing greater activation than the HWC group after the meal in food motivation networks. Discussion: Results point to distinct neural mechanisms associated with hyperphagia in PWS. After eating a meal, the PWS group showed hyperfunction in limbic and paralimbic regions that drive eating behavior (e.g., the amygdala) and in regions that suppress food intake (e.g., the medial PFC).     

Night eating: prevalence and demographic correlates

Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of night eating, the core behavioral symptom of night eating syndrome among adolescents and adults, using two public access survey databases of nationally representative samples. Research Methods and Procedures: Data were extracted for individuals age 13 years or older who completed food diary data for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (N = 18, 407) or the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (N = 10, 741). Prevalence estimates were calculated for three commonly used definitions of night eating. Logistic regression was used to examine correlates of night eating: type of day, season, gender, age, race/ethnicity, and BMI or obesity. Results: With few exceptions, findings were similar in the two surveys. Night eating is most common during the weekend; prevalence is greatest among young adults (18 to 30 years of age) and least common among individuals age 65 years or older; and is not associated with BMI or obesity. Gender or ethnicity effects were not found to be stable across surveys. Discussion: Experts need to consider type of day, age group, and possibly gender and race/ethnicity when examining population differences in night eating. Longitudinal studies are needed to further examine the link between night eating and obesity.     

Effect of increased dairy consumption on appetitive ratings and food intake

Objective: The influence of dairy product consumption on food intake and appetitive sensations was explored in a cross‐over design study with individuals who were habitually low (<1 serving/d) or high (>3 servings/d) dairy consumers. Research Methods and Procedures: Fifty‐eight participants were required to eat one portion of dairy each day (low dairy) or three portions of dairy each day (high dairy) for 7 days. After a 7‐day washout period, the opposite treatment condition was completed. Food intake and appetitive ratings were measured on each day of the treatment periods. Results: During the high‐dairy period, participants consumed 209 kcal/d more than during the low dairy period (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in subjective appetite ratings. Habitual dairy use did not influence either the appetitive or dietary findings. Discussion: These data indicate that increasing dairy consumption may lead to increased energy intake, which could potentially cause weight gain.     

Associations between the home food environment and obesity-promoting eating behaviors in adolescence

Objective: This study examines relationships between multiple aspects of the home food environment and obesity‐promoting characteristics of 12‐ to 13‐year‐old adolescents' diets, specifically frequency of consumption of high‐energy fluids, sweet snacks, savory snacks, and take‐out foods. Research Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study including 347 adolescents 12 to 13 years of age and their parents. Data were collected via self‐completed surveys. The adolescents' diets were assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire derived from existing age‐appropriate National Nutrition Survey data. An extensive range of domains within the home food environment were assessed. Bivariate linear regression analyses were run split by gender. Forced entry multiple linear regression analyses (adjusting for all variables significant in bivariate analyses as well as for maternal education) were also performed, stratified by the sex of the child. Results: The influence of mothers, either as models for eating behaviors or as the providers of food, was pervasive. Mothers' intake of high‐energy fluids (p = 0.003), sweet snacks (p = 0.010), savory snacks (p = 0.008), and take‐out food (p = 0.007) was positively associated with boys' intake of all these foods. In addition, mothers' intake of high‐energy fluids was positively associated with daughters' consumption of these drinks (p = 0.025). Furthermore, availability of unhealthy foods at home was positively associated with girls' sweet snack (p = 0.001), girls' savory snack (p < 0.001), boys' savory snack (p = 0.002), and, in the bivariate analyses, girls' high‐energy fluid consumption (p = 0.002). Discussion: This study of home food environment influences on adolescent diet highlights the pervasive influence of mothers in determining adolescents' obesity‐promoting eating, providing direction for obesity prevention strategies and future research.     

It’s not just what you eat but when: The impact of eating a meal during simulated shift work on driving performance

Shiftworkers have impaired performance when driving at night and they also alter their eating patterns during nightshifts. However, it is unknown whether driving at night is influenced by the timing of eating. This study aims to explore the effects of timing of eating on simulated driving performance across four simulated nightshifts. Healthy, non-shiftworking males aged 18–35 years (n = 10) were allocated to either an eating at night (n = 5) or no eating at night (n = 5) condition. During the simulated nightshifts at 1730, 2030 and 0300 h, participants performed a 40-min driving simulation, 3-min Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT-B), and recorded their ratings of sleepiness on a subjective scale. Participants had a 6-h sleep opportunity during the day (1000–1600 h). Total 24-h food intake was consistent across groups; however, those in the eating at night condition ate a large meal (30% of 24-h intake) during the nightshift at 0130 h. It was found that participants in both conditions experienced increased sleepiness and PVT-B impairments at 0300 h compared to 1730 and 2030 h (p < 0.001). Further, at 0300 h, those in the eating condition displayed a significant decrease in time spent in the safe zone (p < 0.05; percentage of time within 10 km/h of the speed limit and 0.8 m of the centre of the lane) and significant increases in speed variability (p < 0.001), subjective sleepiness (p < 0.01) and number of crashes (p < 0.01) compared to those in the no eating condition. Results suggest that, for optimal performance, shiftworkers should consider restricting food intake during the night.     

Food calling by captive bonobos (Pan paniscus): An experiment

We examined (i) whether bonobos display a specific food-calling behavior when discovering a hidden food resource, (ii) whether the presence of competitors affects this behavior, and (iii) whether food quantity or gender influences its appearance. We carried out experiments (n = 108) within a captive group of eight bonobos at the Animal Park Planckendael (Mechelen,Belgium). We hid highly preferred food items (n = 7 or 25) in their enclosure and recorded vocal behavior and interactions between discoverer and group members. As a control, we gave the same number of items to the individuals when isolated from the group, a situation without potential food competition (n = 38). The only vocalization frequently uttered by the discoverer was the food peep. They uttered food peeps significantly more often when no food competition was possible. The amount of food had no significant influence on whether food peeps were uttered. The same applies to the individuals’ identity or gender. Although the costs of food calling behavior seemed much higher for males, both sexes uttered food calls to the same extent. We hypothesize thai males signal food presence in order to attract potential mates and are willing to give up the discovered food resource in return for sex: sex for food exchange. In contrast, females may vocalize to attract coalition partners. Through these coalitions, they can monopolize food resources vis-à-vis males. It is also possible that females have less reason to suppress food calk, since they are dominant to males. This study suggests that bonobos are able to give shaded signals about their environment and have the potential to communicate this information in order to promote their sexual strategy.     

A New Dental Approach for Reducing Food Intake

Objective: A behavioral recommendation for weight loss is reduction of size of bites of food. This “proof of concept” study tested the efficacy of a new, patented, dental approach, the DDS System, for reducing food intake. This removable tool is inserted into the upper palate of the mouth, reducing the size of the oral cavity, thereby potentially reducing bite size. Research Methods and Procedures: Thirty‐two adults (18 to 65 years) with BMI between 27 and 40 were randomly assigned to the control or experimental conditions. Participants ate all meals and stayed between meals at a research center. Day 1 served as baseline for both groups. On Day 2, experimental participants utilized the tool during meals. Changes in subjective ratings of hunger and satiety were measured using visual analog scales before and after each meal. Results: Food intake difference scores were calculated for each participant (Day 2 ? Day 1). Analysis of covariance on difference scores, using baseline as a covariate, showed that the experimental group ate significantly less (p < 0.05) on the second day (M = ?659.2 kcal/d) compared with the control group (M = ?125.9 kcal/d). Analysis of covariance, with ratings on Day 1 as a covariate, revealed that the experimental and control group did not differ on visual analog scale difference scores (premeal ? postmeal) from Day 1 to Day 2. Discussion: These findings suggest that use of this tool during meals significantly reduced food intake. This reduction of food intake was not associated with changes in ratings of hunger or satiety.     

Obese subjects respond to the stimulatory effect of the ghrelin agonist growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 on food intake

Objective: The administration of the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue GH‐releasing peptide (GHRP)‐2, like ghrelin, increases food intake (FI) in lean healthy men. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this effect occurs in obese subjects and whether it is dose‐dependent. Research Methods and Procedures: Nineteen subjects (10 lean and nine obese), all healthy and weight stable, received a double‐blind randomized subcutaneous infusion of GHRP‐2 at high dose (HD; 1 μg/kg per hour), low dose (0.1 μg/kg per hour), or placebo for 270 minutes over three study visits. Blood for hormone assays was collected through an intravenous forearm catheter. Hunger and fullness were rated on visual analog scales before and after a fixed breakfast (320 kcal at 120 minutes) and a buffet lunch at 240 minutes. Before lunch, subjects received taped instructions to eat as much as they wanted. Results: GHRP‐2 infusion significantly increased ad libitum FI in a dose‐dependent manner by 10.2 ± 3.9% at low dose (p = 0.011) and by 33.5 ± 5.8% at HD (p = 0.000) compared with placebo. Obesity status did not influence the effect of GHRP‐2 on FI. All subjects had greater ratings of appetite before but similar levels of fullness after the meal with the HD GHRP‐2. Serum GH levels increased dose dependently in all subjects. Discussion: The dual stimulatory effect of GHRP‐2 on FI and human GH is dose dependent. Obese individuals retain their ability to respond to GHRP‐2 both in terms of FI and human GH.     

Differences in circadian time course and level for the plasma concentrations of glucose,free fatty acids and amino acids between ad lib‐eating and fasting rabbits

Abstract

The entrained rhythm in food approaches, representative of the circadian fluctuation in locomotor and food intake activity was recorded from 12 rabbits eating ad libitum during exposure to an LD 12:12 h‐regimen. They were also subjected to 53 h‐sessions with the same LD alternation, in which blood samples were taken at 2 h‐intervals. During these sessions 6 of them were permitted to eat freely whereas the others were food‐deprived. It appeared that in eating rabbits plasma levels are higher for glucose and a‐amino nitrogen but lower for free fatty acids and, further, that eating specimens exhibit marked circadian fluctuations in the levels of glucose and FFA which are closely correlated with, and probably a consequence of, the circadian rhythm in the amounts of food actually taken up in the course of the sessions. In fasting rabbits, however, the same plasma parameters show rhythms with quite another time course, that can be attributed to the circadian fluctuations in (locomotor) activity and endocrine balance.     

Night Eating Syndrome Is Associated with Depression,Low Self‐Esteem,Reduced Daytime Hunger,and Less Weight Loss in Obese Outpatients

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the night eating syndrome (NES), measures of depression and self‐esteem, test meal intake, and weight loss in obese participants. Research Methods and Procedures: The study included 76 overweight (body mass index = 36.7 ± 6.5 SD) outpatients (53 women and 23 men; aged 43.5 ± 9.5 years) entering a weight loss program. They completed a Night Eating Questionnaire, the Zung Depression Inventory, and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. Based on criteria by Stunkard et al. (Stunkard A, Berkowitz R, Wadden T, Tanrikut C, Reiss E, Young L. Binge eating disorder and the night eating syndrome. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1996;20:1–6), participants had NES if they reported: (1) skipping breakfast ≥4 d/wk, interpreted as morning anorexia; (2) consuming more than 50% of total daily calories after 7 pm ; and (3) difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep ≥4 d/wk. Eleven (14%) participants met the criteria for NES. After an 8‐hour fast, all participants ingested a nutritionally complete liquid meal through a straw from a large opaque cooler until extremely full. They also completed ratings of hunger and fullness before and after this meal. Results: Night eaters had higher depression (p = 0.04), lower self‐esteem (p = 0.003), and less hunger (p = 0.005), and a trend for more fullness (p = 0.06) before the daytime test meal than the others. However, there were no significant differences in test‐meal intake between groups. Nevertheless, test‐meal intake was greater later in the day only for the night eaters (p = 0.01). Over a 1‐month period, the night eaters lost less weight (4.4 ± 3.2 kg) than the others (7.3 ± 3.2 kg; p = 0.04), after controlling for body mass index. Discussion: NES is a syndrome with distinct psychopathology and increased food intake later in the day, both of which may contribute to poorer weight loss outcome. NES criteria need to be better quantified and NES deserves consideration as a diagnostic eating disorder.     

Electroretinographic detection of human brain dopamine response to oral food stimulation

Objective:

The activity of dopamine‐dependent retinal signaling can be assessed using electroretinography. Response of this system to oral food stimulation might provide accessible insight into the brain dopamine response to oral stimuli as retinal dopamine concentration is dependent upon mid brain dopamine concentration was postulated.

Design and Methods:

Nine individuals had cone ERG (b wave) response to oral food stimulation and oral methylphenidate (MPH) administration measured on separate days, and completed self reported eating behavior questionnaires.

Results:

Significant and similar increases in b wave response to both stimuli (P = 0.012 and P = 0.042, MPH and food, respectively) and significant correlations of the food stimulated b wave amplitude with binge eating related behavior as measured by the Gormally Binge Eating Scale (r = 0.68, P = 0.044) and self‐reported trait hunger as measured by the Stunkard and Messick Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (r = 0.67, P = 0.048) were found.

Conclusion:

The significant increase in food stimulated dopamine dependent b wave amplitude and correlation with methylphenidate stimulated b wave amplitude suggest that ERG may offer a relatively inexpensive and accessible methodology for potentially assess dopaminergic responses to food and other externally applied stimuli that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases.     

Bottomless Bowls: Why Visual Cues of Portion Size May Influence Intake**

Objective: Using self‐refilling soup bowls, this study examined whether visual cues related to portion size can influence intake volume without altering either estimated intake or satiation. Research Methods and Procedures: Fifty‐four participants (BMI, 17.3 to 36.0 kg/m²; 18 to 46 years of age) were recruited to participate in a study involving soup. The experiment was a between‐subject design with two visibility levels: 1) an accurate visual cue of a food portion (normal bowl) vs. 2) a biased visual cue (self‐refilling bowl). The soup apparatus was housed in a modified restaurant‐style table in which two of four bowls slowly and imperceptibly refilled as their contents were consumed. Outcomes included intake volume, intake estimation, consumption monitoring, and satiety. Results: Participants who were unknowingly eating from self‐refilling bowls ate more soup [14.7 ± 8.4 vs. 8.5 ± 6.1 oz; F(1,52) = 8.99; p < 0.01] than those eating from normal soup bowls. However, despite consuming 73% more, they did not believe they had consumed more, nor did they perceive themselves as more sated than those eating from normal bowls. This was unaffected by BMI. Discussion: These findings are consistent with the notion that the amount of food on a plate or bowl increases intake because it influences consumption norms and expectations and it lessens one's reliance on self‐monitoring. It seems that people use their eyes to count calories and not their stomachs. The importance of having salient, accurate visual cues can play an important role in the prevention of unintentional overeating.     

Use of an operant task to estimate food reinforcement in adult humans with and without BED

Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the utility of food‐reinforced operant task performance in modeling binge‐eating disorder (BED). We hypothesized that food reinforcement after a caloric preload would be related to BED status, but not hunger. Methods and Procedures: We investigated the association between reports of hunger, binge tendency, and food reinforcement in a sample of 18 women (12 non‐BED, 7 lean, 5 obese, and 6 obese BED). Participants completed two sessions of operant task performance after consuming 600 ml of flavored water or 600 ml of a 1 kcal/ml liquid meal. Results: Under the water condition, food reinforcement did not differ between the non‐BED and BED groups, and was positively correlated with hunger ratings across all participants (r = 0.55, P = 0.023). Under the liquid meal condition, food reinforcement was significantly decreased compared with the water condition in the non‐BED group (t = ?2.6, P = 0.026). There was also a significant difference between the non‐BED and BED groups in the fed condition (41 ± 40, 117 ± 60, F = 10.3, P = 0.005, non‐BED vs. BED, respectively, mean ± s.d.). The correlation between food reinforcement and hunger remained significant only in the non‐BED group (r = 0.69, P = 0.011). Discussion: Our results support the hypothesis that food reinforcement measured after a caloric preload is related to BED status but not hunger in those subjects with BED. The data also suggest that operant task performance can be useful in modeling BED criteria such as “eating when not physically hungry.”     

Development and Validation of the Food-Craving Inventory

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate the Food-Craving Inventory (FCI), a self-report measure of specific food cravings. Research Methods and Procedures: In a preliminary study, participants (n = 474) completed the initial version of the FCI. The results from this study were used in developing the revised FCI. Participants (n = 379) completed the revised FCI in the primary study designed to develop a self-report measure of specific food cravings. Results: Common factor analysis yielded four conceptual factors (subscales) that were interpreted as high fats, sweets, carbohydrates/starches, and fast-food fats. Confirmatory factor analysis found that the four factors could be modeled as dimensions (or first-order factors) of a higher order construct—food craving. Test–retest and internal consistency analyses indicated good reliability for the total score and each of the subscales. Subscale scores were compared with scores on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and a conceptual measure of food craving. We found support for the content, concurrent, construct, and discriminant validity of the FCI. Discussion: The FCI was found to be a reliable and valid measure of general and specific food cravings. The FCI can be used in research related to overeating and binge eating. Also, it may be useful in treatment studies that target obesity and/or food cravings.