Impact of interoceptive and exteroceptive attention during a lunch meal on appetite, pleasure, sensory-specific desires, and post-study consumption in healthy adult women

Attention to interoceptive (bodily sensations) and exteroceptive (sensory cues) signals while eating has previously been associated with more conscious food choices. However, the immediate effects of such attentional focus on appetite and subsequent intake are not fully understood. We investigated whether written instructions guiding attention to interoceptive, exteroceptive, or combined cues during a lunch meal influenced appetite, food-related pleasure, sensory-specific desires, and post-study consumption behaviour in healthy adult women. Potential effects of Body Mass Index (BMI) classification were also explored. Ninety-seven participants completed two test days. On test day 1, all participants completed a session where attention was directed to aspects of physical surroundings (e.g., lighting, sound). On test day 2, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: 1. attention to environmental cues (repeated day 1), 2. Attention to interoceptive cues, 3. Attention to exteroceptive cues, or 4. Attention to combined interoceptive and exteroceptive cues. The focus of their attention, subjective appetite ratings, and post-study food intake were assessed. Our findings showed that attention could be successfully directed to the desired cues via written instructions, and while immediate appetite-related responses did not significantly differ between conditions, subtle changes in post-study consumption behaviour were observed. No difference was found based on participants' BMI classification. The ability to successfully direct participants' attention through brief written instructions in our study highlights a promising methodological tool for future studies exploring mechanisms behind eating behaviour and decision-making. • The study tested a novel attention training method during a lunch meal. • Attention during meals was guided using brief written instructions. • Written instructions successfully directed interoceptive and exteroceptive focus. • No significant effects were found on immediate appetite or food-related pleasure. • The study provides a basis for future work on attentional focus and eating behaviour.