The impact of cognitive distraction on gustatory perception in volunteers with obesity

Abstract

Abstract Background Obesity is a global health issue, the causes of which are complex and multifactorial, including biological, behavioral, socioeconomical and environmental. In our increasingly multitasking and technology-driven world, cognitive distraction while eating or making food-related decisions is a prevalent phenomenon. Yet, current knowledge on the neurocognitive mechanism behind distracted eating is limited and controversial. To address this blind spot in research, the study focuses on people affected by overweight and obesity, a group with a high prevalence worldwide. By examining both intensity and hedonic values of taste stimuli under distraction, the study takes a more comprehensive approach to understand how distraction affects human taste perception. Methods In this study involving 58 participants, two distinct groups were formed based on their weight status, lean and obese. These participants were engaged in a computer-controlled experiment during which they received various gustatory stimuli while simultaneously playing a Tetris game set at different difficulty levels, low or high. Their primary task was to provide ratings for both the intensity and pleasantness of gustatory stimuli. We employed linear mixed models to analyze distraction-related effects on these ratings. Additionally, the study gathered subjective reports of trial difficulty and physiological data, specifically electrodermal activity, to validate the experimental setup. Results The results of this study confirmed the anticipated outcomes: high levels of distraction had a diminishing effect on both the intensity and pleasantness perception of different tastes. Furthermore, these effects were found to be influenced by gender and weight status. Specifically, individuals classified as obese demonstrated more substantial changes in intensity perception due to distraction compared to their lean counterparts. It was also observed that taste sensitivity increased with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) and interacted with gender, highlighting the complex interplay between these factors. Conclusion This study emphasizes that cognitive distraction during consumption affects perception of taste in terms of both decreased intensity and pleasantness, which may have implications for food choices and overall dietary habits. The significance of BMI status and gender as potential influencing factors is specifically stressed.