Abstract
Cognitive distortions may be implicated in difficulties with normalized eating. One specific distortion relevant to eating
pathology is “thought-shape fusion” (TSF), in which just imagining eating high-caloric food leads individuals to feel fatter,
and to perceive weight gain and moral wrong-doing. The current study investigated whether there are differential responses
to TSF inductions in normal-weight versus overweight females. A total of 60 females participated, who were classified as either
normal-weight (n = 32) or overweight (n = 28). Participants were randomly assigned to either a TSF or a neutral induction condition, and their responses on TSF questionnaires
were assessed. The results indicated that normal-weight individuals reported higher TSF levels after a TSF induction than
a control induction, whereas there were no significant differences across conditions for overweight individuals. This suggests
that normal-weight females were more susceptible to the TSF induction than were overweight females. The results are discussed
in terms of possible differences between normal-weight and overweight females in self-regulation after food-cue exposure.
pathology is “thought-shape fusion” (TSF), in which just imagining eating high-caloric food leads individuals to feel fatter,
and to perceive weight gain and moral wrong-doing. The current study investigated whether there are differential responses
to TSF inductions in normal-weight versus overweight females. A total of 60 females participated, who were classified as either
normal-weight (n = 32) or overweight (n = 28). Participants were randomly assigned to either a TSF or a neutral induction condition, and their responses on TSF questionnaires
were assessed. The results indicated that normal-weight individuals reported higher TSF levels after a TSF induction than
a control induction, whereas there were no significant differences across conditions for overweight individuals. This suggests
that normal-weight females were more susceptible to the TSF induction than were overweight females. The results are discussed
in terms of possible differences between normal-weight and overweight females in self-regulation after food-cue exposure.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9372-0
- Authors
- Jennifer S. Coelho, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Anita Jansen, Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Martine Bouvard, Interuniversity Laboratory of Psychology, Université de Savoie, BP 1104, 73011 Chambéry cedex, Jacob-Bellecombette, France
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916