Using Technology to Enhance Self-Regulation of Eating Behavior

Amanda Menzie¹, Rune KT¹, Marcus Mueller² and Lovell GP^1*

¹School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia

²John F. Welch College of Business, Sacred Heart University, Luxemburg

*Corresponding Author : Dr Geoff P Lovell
School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked bag 4, Maroochydore, Queensland, 4558, Australia
Tel: 61 7 5459 4464
E-mail: glovell@usc.edu.au

Received: June 19, 2017 Accepted: July 05, 2017 Published: July 10, 2017

Citation: Menzie A, Rune KT, Mueller M, Lovell GP (2017) Using Technology to Enhance Self-Regulation of Eating Behavior. J Food Nutr Disord 6:3.doi: 10.4172/2324-9323.1000229

The aim of the current study, derived from Goal Conflict and Duel Process theories, was to investigate if self-regulation in restrained eaters can be enhanced by strengthening the link between desired food stimuli and eating control goal. An iPhone app, employed to prime eating control goals, was utilized to improve eating self-regulation in restrained eaters. During a 7-day intervention, 20 restrained eaters had access to randomly activated, personalized eating control reminders on their iPhone. Self-regulation efficacy, eating behavior (unhealthy food serving sizes and loss of control over eating), and eating efficacy were assessed pre and post intervention. Results suggest that the reminder significantly improved self-regulation behavior (p<.05) and eating-efficacy beliefs (p<.05) in restrained eaters. However, no significant improvements were found for unhealthy food serving sizes and loss of control over eating behavior. Future studies should explore if self-regulation and eating-efficacy translate into decreased serving sizes and loss of eating control longer-term.