Comparison of acceptance-based and standard cognitive-based coping strategies for craving sweets in overweight and obese women

Existing strategies for coping with food cravings are of unknown efficacy and rely on principles that have been shown to have paradoxical effects. The present study evaluated novel, acceptance-based strategies for coping with craving by randomly assigning 48 overweight women to either an experimental psychological acceptance-oriented intervention or a standard cognitive reappraisal/distraction intervention. Participants were required to carry a box of sweets on their person for 72 h while abstaining from any consumption of sweets. Results suggested that the acceptance-based coping strategies resulted in lower cravings and reduced consumption, particularly for those who demonstrate greater susceptibility to the presence of food and report a tendency to engage in emotional eating.

► Evaluated acceptance-based strategies for coping with cravings in overweight women ► Participants carried sweets for 72 h while abstaining from eating any sweets. ► Acceptance-based coping strategies resulted in lower cravings and reduced consumption. ► Results stronger for those who had greater susceptibility to the presence of food ► Results stronger for those who had a tendency to engage in emotional eating