Does hedonic hunger predict eating behavior and body mass in adolescents with overweight or obesity?

ABSTRACT Our study examined the association between hedonic hunger and body mass and whether caloric intake mediated the association between these constructs in adolescents. One hundred adolescents with overweight or obesity completed measures of hedonic food reward, dietary intake, and height and weight. Exaggerated hedonic food responses were associated with higher body mass. For 16% of participants who had high hedonic hunger, and high body mass, caloric intake mediated the association between hedonic hunger and zBMI. These results suggest that hedonic hunger may override the homeostatic need for energy and may be associated with increased caloric intake, potentiating weight gain.