Food Craving Intensity and Gender Differences

Background: Food cravings typically influence individuals' diets and ultimately their health. However, the differences in food cravings between genders with normal BMI values are unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in food craving intensity between genders with normal BMI values. Methods: The research group consisted of 1,394 participants (67% females, 33% males) between 15 and 92 years of age with normal BMI values. The self-reported General Food-Craving Questionnaire-Trait (G-FCQ-T) was used to determine individuals' food craving intensity on four subscales: preoccupation with food, loss of self-control-once eating, positive outcome expectations, and emotional craving. Results: The result suggested that there is no difference between males and females in the intensity of food cravings evaluated by the G-FCQ-T total score; however, gender differences were confirmed in two subscale scores. Positive outcome expectations subscale score was higher for males than for females, and an emotional craving subscale score was higher for females than for males. Discussion: Data indicated that the males' and females' food cravings are affected by different mechanisms. Translation to Health Education Practice: Findings confirmed the importance of creating gender-specific norms in dietary interventions.