from Exeter University
A new online computer game shows promise in helping us control snacking impulses and cut back on calories. British scientists developed a simple game that trains people to resist unhealthy snacks, requiring them to repeatedly avoid selecting pictures of certain items and instead select other more positive pictures. The study showed this training reduces how much food people eat. Although the results need to be shown in longer studies and with more participants, nearly all of those in the first studies say they would be happy to continue the game training and would also recommend it to a friend. The training is not yet available to the public, but anyone interested in taking part in future studies should contact foodtraining@exeter.ac.uk with “interested in future studies” in the subject line.