MOOD MODULATION BY FOOD - AN EXPLORATION OF AFFECT AND CRAVINGS IN CHOCOLATE ADDICTS

To test the hypothesis that some foods are eaten to alter mood, the re lationship between mood and intake of chocolate was investigated in 40 women. Twenty self-identified chocolate 'addicts' and 20 controls rat ed hunger, mood, intensity of craving and amount of chocolate eaten in a diary for seven consecutive days. The 'addicts' reported a signific antly greater number of eating episodes and consumed a larger amount o f chocolate than controls. 'Addicts' also rated depression, guilt and craving higher and feeling content and relaxed as lower before eating than controls. However, eating chocolate resulted in increased feeling s of guilt in the 'addicts' and no significant changes in feeling depr essed or relaxed. On indices of disordered eating and depression, 'add icts' scored significantly higher than controls; however, eating choco late did not improve mood. Although chocolate is a food which provides pleasure, for those who consider intake of this food to be excessive, any pleasure experienced is short lived and accompanied by feelings o f guilt.