Food Addiction

This study experimentally investigates whether a reduction in ultra-processed (UP) food intake (1) causes aversive withdrawal symptoms in humans, (2) increases the motivational salience of UP food cues and, if so, (3) whether these factors undermine the ability to adhere to a low-UP diet. The following aims and hypotheses are tested: Aim 1: To investigate whether aversive physical, cognitive, and affective withdrawal symptoms emerge in response to reduced UP food intake compared to a high-UP diet, and whether this predicts failure to adhere to a low-UP diet. H1a: Reducing UP food intake will result in aversive physical, cognitive, and affective withdrawal symptoms, as indicated by 1) ecological momentary assessment (EMA) reports of aversive withdrawal symptoms, and 2) heart rate reactivity and subjective distress to an in-lab stressor. H1b: Aversive symptoms of UP food withdrawal will predict greater UP food intake and higher blood glucose levels when trying to adhere to a low UP diet. Aim 2: To investigate whether increased motivational salience of UP food cues emerges in response to reduced UP food intake, and whether this predicts failure to maintain a low-UP diet. H2a: Reducing UP food intake will result in increased motivational salience of UP food cues, as indicated by 1) EMA reports of UP food craving, 2) heart rate reactivity and subjective craving in a simulated fast-food restaurant, 3) heightened reinforcement value for UP food relative to other reinforcers, and 4) greater reward-related neural response to UP food cues. H2b: Increased motivational salience of UP food cues will predict greater UP food intake and higher blood glucose levels when trying to adhere to a low UP diet.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of nomophobia levels on stress, food addiction, and body image among undergraduate students aged 18-30 at Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences. The primary questions it aims to answer are: * Is there a statistically significant relationship between nomophobia levels and perceived stress, food addiction, and body image among university students? * Is there a correlation between objective anthropometric data (body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass) measured via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), waist/hip circumference measurements, and the individual's perceived body image?

The current standard of care for obesity is the optimal management of comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and counseling on diet, weight loss, or increased physical activity programs. However, lifestyle, diet, and behavioral interventions may provide between 7-10% reduction in initial weight and even fewer with long-term weight loss. In severely obese patients (BMI\>40 or BMI\>35 with comorbidities), bariatric surgery is also a potential treatment, but there is a high barrier for patients to undergo surgery for weight loss. These barriers include an aversion to major abdominal surgery, long recovery time, potential risk of vitamin deficiency, and risk for abdominal pain. For these reasons, there is a paramount need for other treatments for obesity and for food addiction. The current standard of care for obesity and food addiction is difficult to implement and lacks sustained efficacy. Most struggle to complete treatment, lose minimal weight, lack sustained weight loss, and engage in the well-known "YoYo" diet phenomenon. While bariatric surgery is currently the only effective treatment for obesity, there are several barriers associated with it such as eligibility requirements, invasiveness, difficult recovery, and cost making it not readily available for everyone. Some approved medications that help with obesity, such as orlistat, lorcaserin, or naltrexone-bupropion, have not been widely adopted by providers or patients due to their limited responses and adverse side effects. Probiotic cocktails have shown to be safe with little to no side effects. Preclinical models of probiotics demonstrate the ability to curb obesity in animal models. Therefore, a probiotic that is able to show significant weight loss along with lifestyle modifications would be highly adopted and desirable.

The changing food environment, with increasingly abundant ultra-processed food (UPF) options, may directly contribute to rising rates of obesity, though it is unknown which ingredients in UPF elevate their reinforcing nature in a way that may lead to overconsumption. The proposed study is the first to systematically examine differences in the rewarding characteristics of and physiological and metabolic responses to UPFs that are high in fat, refined carbohydrates (like sugar), or both. Understanding the biobehavioral underpinnings that enhance the reinforcing potential of ingredients in UPF (e.g., fat vs. refined carbohydrates) can inform novel intervention targets for the treatment of overeating and obesity.

Background: Eating Disorders (ED) are mental health conditions, characterized by pathological behaviors toward food intake or a persistent obsession with weight control. EDs have a high prevalence among pre-adolescents in developed countries and pose a significant economic burden. Preventive interventions targeting at-risk populations for ED have proven effective. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) facilitates access to larger population groups while also reducing costs. Objectives: * Develop and validate a universally applied intervention (PRETA), mediated by ICTs, to reduce eating-disorder risk and modifiable risk factors, through cultural adaptation and adjustment of the POtsdam Prevention at Schools (POPS) Program to preadolescents. * Assess the efficacy of the PRETA Program through a randomized controlled trial (RCT). * Evaluate the efficiency of the PRETA Program from a social perspective. Methodology The PRETA Program uses 9 online sessions with interactive activities for pre- adolescents, plus education for their families and teachers. Its content includes addressing key factors in the development of ED, such as eating habits, beauty standards, and media literacy, as well as activities aimed at strengthening psychological dimensions (self-esteem, emotional regulation, problem-solving, psychological flexibility, and resilience) and social skills, including communication styles and distinguishing between jokes and bullying. The study involves schools being randomly assigned to either the PRETA Program or regular health activities. The effect of the intervention will be evaluated 3 months after its start.