EXTRAVAGANCES DURING WEIGHT-REDUCTION, AN ANALYSIS OF FOOD PREFERENCEAND SELECTION

As part of a behavioural modification programme for weight reduction i n outpatients, obese clients [body mass index (BMI) 41.5 +/- 5.9 kg/m( 2)], planned to eat once a week, an ''extravagance'', defined as a hig hly desired food in controlled quantities. Women (N= 65) chose sweets as an ''extravagance'' more often than did men (42 vs. 17%), whereas m en (N=21) preferred alcoholic beverages (44 vs. 16%). The majority des cribed eating the ''extravagance'' as an enjoyable experience. Fifty o ut of 69 patients named a food dish as one of the three things that th ey liked best to eat or drink, 39 listed different kinds of sweets and 29 had a preference for alcoholic beverages. Foods that the patients perceived as a potential contribution to their weight problems were ma inly sweets, food dishes and sandwiches. (C) 1998 Academic Press.