Physical activity in self-control of food craving: an initial approximation

Abstract

Obesity has become one of the greatest public health threats. Its ratings has rapidly increased in our
country through the last two decades and our eating preferences are far to follow a healthy pattern.
An integral plan for controlling and preventing overweight and obesity is currently available in
Cuba, which involves global and individual strategies. This plan goes beyond Health Ministry and
involves other sectors such as INDER, Education, Agriculture and Food technology. In this context,
systematic practice of physical activity into communities, work or school it has been considerably
promoted. The current review aimed to analyse the potentialities of physical activity on food cravings' self-control. Physical activity is analysed in a psychological dimension which facilitates the
self-control of mechanisms of liking and wanting, as well of consumption of highly palatable foods,
mainly between meals. The self-control of food cravings is usually performed through an effortful
inhibition of impulses and food related thoughts, but laboratory and field studies have revealed the
futility of accomplish this goal. We are following a paradigm shift, which proposes a re-dimension of
physical activity. Its use at the beginning of any weight reduction program as well as in individuals'
everyday life is highly relevant in order to reduce food overconsumption.