The effect of appetite awareness training on mental health and eating habits among participants in obesity treatment

Abstract

Appetite Awareness Training (AAT) is an intervention intended to increase ability to rely on internal appetite cues to regulate eating behavior rather than responding to environmental, cognitive, or affective cues. It has been shown that AAT reduces binge eating and overeating as well as decreasing the sense of control loss concerning eating behavior and associated psychological distress. The study´s aim was to assess AATs effectiveness by comparing the scores on self-measurement scales (Binge Eating Scale; BES, Beck Anxiety Scale; BAI, Beck Depression Scale; BDI-II, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; DASS and Appetite Awareness Scale; AAS) before and after a six session AAT course at the outset of obesity treatment. Data came from 38 groups (N = 375, 288 females, 87 males, age 18-73) at Reykjalundur Rehabilitation Centre. Significant differences occurred for AAS, BAI, BDI-II and DASS anxiety symptoms, but neither for DASS depression nor stress symptoms thought the mean score decreased for both. The overall findings indicate that AAT decreases symptoms of binge eating, depression, anxiety, and increases appetite awareness.Key words: Appetite Awareness Training, obesity treatment, mental health, eating habits