IMPACT OF DEFINITION ON PREVALENCE OF FOOD CRAVINGS IN A RANDOM SAMPLE OF YOUNG-WOMEN

The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics of fo od cravings in a random sample of young women and to evaluate the impa ct of the definition used in food craving research. The Diagnostic int erview for Genetic Studies and a questionnaire about food craving expe riences were completed by 101 women aged between 18 and 45 years. Of t his sample, 58% of respondents reported having ever experienced food c ravings. Of these, 7% had experienced food cravings only during pregna ncy. Fewer women met criteria for craving as the definition narrowed; 28% reported moderate to strong cravings with two features of intensit y; 6% reported moderate to strong cravings with three features of inte nsity and 4% reported strong cravings with three features of intensity . Features of intensity or ''core features'' were those that related t o strength of craving and were difficulty resisting eating, feeling an xious when the craved food was unavailable and a change in speed of co nsumption. Of strong cravers, 86% experienced at least two core featur es, compared with 48% of moderate and 10% of mild cravers. These featu res may aid in defining the craving state and should be taken into con sideration in studies on food cravings. 1997 Academic Press Limited.