An investigation in adults to determine if physiological responses to visual food cues are associated with addictive eating behaviour

INTERVENTION: This pilot study has a within subject study design. After determining eligibility, via an online screening, participants will complete a series of standardised questionnaires (Yale Food Addiction Scale, Addiction‐like Eating Behaviour Scale, The Self‐Report Habit Index, The Power of Food Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, The Patient Health Questionnaire, The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale) online prior to attending a one‐off experimental session at the University of Newcastle. On arrival participants will have their height and weight measured by a trained assessor. Participants will complete an IT‐mediated task, integrated with physiological measures (heart rate variability, electrodermal activity and pupillary responses) under controlled conditions. This task will involve viewing two x 5min food image paradigms (healthy vs. hyperpalatable foods) on a computer monitor with a 2min wash‐out period of neutral images (non‐food images) shown in between. Participants will be randomly allocated by block design to group 1 or group 2. Group 1 will view healthy food images first, and hyperpalatable food images second. Group 2 will view hyperpalatable food images first, and healthy food images second. Participants will complete a self‐report measure of current hunger (Visual Analogue Scale) before and after viewing the images, and emotional response to images will also be recorded via paper based survey at the end of the session. The session will take approximately 45min to complete and will be administered by an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Image paradigms: food image stimuli to be used in this task has previously been rated in a pilot study (n=10 adults, independent of those involved in the present study) to ensure foods are representative of each of the two categories, and food images are readily identifiable i.e. recognisable and familiar, and shown in an appetising manner for Australian adults. Images are from a licensed data CONDITION: Diet and Nutrition ‐ Obesity Mental Health ‐ Addiction Obesity;Food addiction; ; Obesity ; Food addiction SECONDARY OUTCOME: Subjective hunger measured by Visual Analogue Scale[Baseline and on session completion (i.e. after viewing of image paradigms)] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Individuals proficient in English with access to the internet and able to visit the University of Newcastle for a one‐off visit will be recruited via advertisements on social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, twitter), and advertisements posted on community noticeboards on University of Newcastle campuses. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Electrodermal activity on the palm of the hand measured using a Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) recording device (“PowerLab 8/35 Bio Ampâ€?, by AD Instruments)[Baseline and continuously throughout the 12 minute session (5 min healthy food images, 2 min neutral images, and 5 min hyperpalatable food images)] Heart rate variability measured using an electrocardiography (ECG) measurement device (“PowerLab 8/35 Bio Ampâ€?, by AD Instruments) ; [Baseline and continuously throughout the 12 minute session (5 min healthy food images, 2 min neutral images, and 5 min hyperpalatable food images)] Pupillary responses (composite of pupil fixations and saccades) will be recorded using an eye tracking device (Tobii Pro X3‐120). [Baseline and continuously throughout the 12 minute session (5 min healthy food images, 2 min neutral images, and 5 min hyperpalatable food images)]