Regulation of Cues (ROC) is a therapeutic approach specifically developed by Dr. Kerri Boutelle, Ph.D., the Director of CHEAR, to address issues related to overeating and binge eating. This method is distinctive in that it is one of the few evidence-based treatments available that focus on reducing overeating and binge eating by enhancing an individual’s awareness and response to bodily signals and food cues. ROC targets two appetitive traits-responding to hunger and food cues that drive overeating. Here’s a deeper dive into the key aspects of ROC:

Paying Attention to Hunger and Satiety Signals: ROC teaches individuals to become more attuned to their body’s natural hunger and fullness cues. Many people with eating disorders have lost touch with these signals or have learned to ignore them. ROC helps to reestablish this connection, enabling individuals to recognize when they are genuinely hungry and when they are full, reducing the likelihood of overeating.

Differentiating Between Hunger and Craving: An essential component of ROC is helping individuals distinguish between true physical hunger and emotional cravings. Emotional cravings are often mistaken for hunger, leading to eating when not physically needed. ROC trains individuals to identify the differences between these sensations, which is crucial in managing emotional and binge eating.

Learning to Resist Highly Craved Foods: ROC also involves strategies to resist the temptation of foods that are highly craved but may trigger overeating. This includes techniques to manage cravings and make healthier food choices. It’s not about complete avoidance of certain foods, but about learning to approach them in a balanced way.

Behavioral Techniques: ROC utilizes various behavioral techniques to achieve these goals. This might include mindfulness practices to enhance body awareness, cognitive restructuring to change unhelpful thought patterns about food, and exposure techniques to reduce the power of food cues over behavior.

Empowerment and Self-regulation: A significant focus of ROC is empowering individuals to take control of their eating behaviors. This is done by developing self-regulation skills that enable them to make conscious, informed decisions about eating, rather than being driven by emotional or external cues.

In summary, ROC is a targeted treatment approach that equips individuals with practical skills to regulate their response to hunger and cravings. By focusing on these areas, ROC helps to reduce episodes of overeating and binge eating, thereby aiding individuals in their journey towards a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.