Background and objective: Most studies assessing the effect of hunger on mood have been conducted in a laboratory setting. We aimed to assess the association between hunger levels and mood states in a population-based sample.
Methods: cross-sectional study including 748 participants (56.4% women, 60.0±9.3 years). Mood states was assessed four times a day (8:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00) during a one-week period using ecological momentary assessment.
Results: Overall, higher hunger levels were positively associated with all mood states except slow thinking. The direction of the associations changed according to the period studied: higher hunger levels were negatively associated with several mood states at 12:00 and positively associated with most mood states (excepting active/aroused and lively/excited) at 16:00. Multilevel, multivariable mixed models taking into account repeated measures and day period showed hunger was negatively associated with being slow thinking and no pleasure/enjoyment. Hunger was also positively associated with being active/aroused and lively/excited, while no association was found between hunger and being sad/depressed /unhappy, unfocused/distracted, restless/fidget, anxious/nervous and irritable/angry after adjusting for currently eating.
Conclusion: hunger is associated with several mood states, but the direction of the association varies according to day period and presence/absence of eating.