(P32-25-26) Cognitive Restraint and Socioeconomic Status Associated With Reduced Energy Intake From Ultra-Processed Foods in an Inpatient Controlled Feeding Study

Objectives: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) promote excess energy intake (EI), contribute to weight gain, and are a predominant component of the current food environment. Eating behaviors are shaped by many factors, but individuals may vary in trait-level susceptibility to overeating in the same environment. We explored whether personality and eating traits account for some of the variability in excess EI from a diet high in UPFs, energy density (ED), and hyper-palatability (HP). We predicted higher cognitive restraint (CR) and conscientiousness, and lower reward-based eating, disinhibition, and neuroticism would be associated with reduced ad libitum EI of a diet high in UPFs.

Methods: In an inpatient randomized crossover feeding trial, healthy weight-stable adults (n=36; ages 36.3 ± 11.3 years; BMI 29.5 ± 7.0 kg/m²) consumed 7-day ad libitum diets matched for energy and macronutrients but varying in ED, HP, and proportion of UPF (defined by NOVA classification). Here we focused on two diets: 1) a diet high in ED, HP, and 80% of kcal from UPF (UPF); and 2) a diet low in ED, HP, and devoid of UPF (minimally processed, MPF). Excess EI from UPF was defined as the delta between ad libitum EI on the UPF and MPF diet (adjusted for resting energy expenditure via indirect calorimetry). Personality and eating traits were assessed via validated questionnaires. Significant associations met Spearman rank alpha of 0.05.

Results: Participants consumed 948 ± 419 kcal/day more on the UPF diet compared to MPF (95% CI 807–1090 kcal). Exploratory analyses revealed high CR on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and socioeconomic status (SES) were associated with reduced excess EI on the UPF diet (ρ = −0.34, p = 0.04; ρ = -0.36, p = 0.03, respectively). SES and CR were not related to each other.

Conclusions: Despite extant evidence suggesting links between conscientiousness, reward-based and disinhibited eating with weight status and EI, our exploratory results highlight that greater CR and SES may be factors linked with minimal excess EI on UPF diets. Understanding trait-level eating behavior vulnerabilities may optimize weight management in UPF rich environments by identifying who may benefit from interventions to strengthen CR.

Funding Sources: This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).