Gender-related differences in food craving and obesity

Food craving is commonly described as an intense urge to eat. Research has shown that it consistently predicts eating behaviors and weight-related outcomes, playing a role in the growing obesity crisis. While there are well-established gender differences in both the prevalence and health effects of obesity, limited recent research has explored gender differences in food cravings, particularly in relation to the phases of the menstrual cycle and sex hormones. This review by Hallam et al. (2016) proposes that gender differences in food cravings contribute to the gender disparities seen in obesity. Drawing from addiction research, the authors suggest that incorporating gender-based differences in food cravings into treatment strategies could enhance the effectiveness of obesity and weight loss interventions. The goal of this review is to underscore the importance of examining gender differences in food cravings to help develop more effective treatments for obesity and weight loss. [NPID: Craving, gender, menstrual cycle, obesity, sex hormones]

Year: 2016

Reference: Hallam, J., Boswell, R. G., DeVito, E. E., & Kober, H. (2016). Gender-related Differences in Food Craving and Obesity. The Yale journal of biology and medicine, 89(2), 161–173. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4918881/

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