Sex Differences in Effects of Mood, Eating-Related Behaviors, and BMI on Food Appeal and Desire to Eat: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Although sex differences in food intake have been observed consistently, contributing factors are not well understood. Using a cross-sectional online survey (n = 306; 151 men, 155 women), this study aimed to assess how sex impacts relationships between food ratings (appeal/desire to eat for high-calorie (HC) and low-calorie (LC) food images) and eating-related attitudes/behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and mood. Across participants, increased state- and trait-based hunger, disinhibition, and cravings were associated with both increased HC appeal and desire (p < 0.001). Increased state-based hunger and cravings were associated with greater LC desire (p < 0.001). Greater satiety was associated with decreased desire for both HC and LC (p < 0.001), while greater anxiety was associated with increased desire for both HC and LC (p < 0.001). Significant associations between BMI and food ratings were not observed. Women reported greater dietary restraint, trait-based hunger, disinhibition, eating disorder-related behaviors, depression, and stress compared to men, in addition to greater appeal and familiarity with LC foods (all p < 0.05). Significant effects of sex on the associations between food ratings and eating-related attitudes/behaviors, BMI, and mood were not observed, however. Findings support the importance of considering mood and eating-related attitudes/behaviors in investigations of food cue responsivity.

Automated summary

Although sex differences in food intake have been consistently observed, the factors contributing to these differences are not well understood. This study aimed to examine how sex impacts the relationships between food ratings, eating-related attitudes/behaviors, BMI, and mood. The results showed that hunger, disinhibition, and cravings were associated with increased appeal and desire for high-calorie food, while satiety was associated with decreased desire for both high and low-calorie food. Women reported greater dietary restraint, hunger, disinhibition, eating disorder-related behaviors, depression, and stress compared to men. However, no significant effects of sex on the relationships between food ratings and eating-related attitudes/behaviors, BMI, and mood were observed.