Cited by 2,238Regulation of Appetite and ObesityNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorEating Disorders and Behaviors

Reproducibility, power and validity of visual analogue scales in assessment of appetite sensations in single test meal studies

Flint, A, Raben, A, Blundell, JE, Astrup, A·2000·International Journal of Obesity

Abstract

Objective To examine reproducibility and validity of visual analogue scales (VAS) for measurement of appetite sensations, with and without a diet standardization prior to the test days.Design On two different test days the subjects recorded their appetite sensations before breakfast and every 30 min during the 4.5 h postprandial period under exactly the same conditions.Subjects 55 healthy men (age 25.6+/-0.6 y, BMI 22.6+/-0.3 kg¿m2).Measurements VAS were used to record hunger, satiety, fullness, prospective food consumption, desire to eat something fatty, salty, sweet or savoury, and palatability of the meals. Subsequently an ad libitum lunch was served and energy intake was recorded. Reproducibility was assessed by the coefficient of repeatability (CR) of fasting, mean 4.5 h and peak/nadir values.Results CRs (range 20-61 mm) were larger for fasting and peak/nadir values compared with mean 4.5 h values. No parameter seemed to be improved by diet standardization. Using a paired design and a study power of 0.8, a difference of 10 mm on fasting and 5 mm on mean 4.5 h ratings can be detected with 18 subjects. When using desires to eat specific types of food or an unpaired design, more subjects are needed due to considerable variation. The best correlations of validity were found between 4.5 h mean VAS of the appetite parameters and subsequent energy intake (r=+/-0.50-0.53, P<0.001).Conclusion VAS scores are reliable for appetite research and do not seem to be influenced by prior diet standardization. However, consideration should be given to the specific parameters being measured, their sensitivity and study power. International Journal of Obesity (2000)24, 38-48

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801083

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  • Visual analogue scales (VAS) are a reliable method to assess appetite.

    “VAS, a reliable method to assess appetite(17), were administered fasting before and after oxytocin/placebo.”

    From Oxytocin reduces caloric intake in men (2015) · cites this paper as [17]

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Authors
Flint, A., Raben, A., Blundell, J., & Astrup, A.
Corresponding author
Flint, A
Venue
International Journal of Obesity
Published
2000-01
Volume
24
Issue
1
Pages
38-48
ISSN
  • 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5497
OpenAlex
W2053575156
Cited by
2,238
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 102 · 2025: 131 · 2024: 152 · 2023: 117 · 2022: 120 · 2021: 112 · 2020: 133 · 2019: 133 · 2018: 142 · 2017: 125 · 2016: 111 · 2015: 115 · 2014: 113 · 2013: 104 · 2012: 102
FWCI
4.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion)
Funders
Sundhed og Sygdom, Det Frie Forskningsråd
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
Keywords
visual analogue scale, hunger, satiety, prospective food consumption, palatability, reproducibility, repeatability coefficient, study power, energy intake, postprandial appetite
MeSH terms
Adult, Analysis of Variance, Appetite, Humans, Hunger, Male, Pain Measurement, Surveys and Questionnaires, Satiation, Taste, Reproducibility of Results, Postprandial Period

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