Relationship between impulsivity, uncontrolled eating and body mass index: a hierarchical model

Background/Objectives: Previous research has demonstrated relationships between attachment orientations (expectations of ourselves and others in interpersonal relationships), eating behaviours and obesity. However, such research has been limited to investigations of ‘organised’ forms of attachment orientation (reflecting coherent and predictable patterns of behaviour). Theoretically, aberrant eating behaviours and body mass index, should also be related to ‘disorganised attachment.’ Subjects: Here we test these relationships for the first time in a general population. Secondary data analyses of a pre-existing dataset were conducted (N = 537).Methods used: Questionnaire measures of organised (avoidant and anxious) and disorganised attachment were included alongside eating behaviour measures (emotional eating, uncontrolled eating and cognitive restraint) and body mass index (BMI). Results: Parallel multiple mediation analysis (PROCESS) showed that uncontrolled eating (but not emotional eating or cognitive restraint) significantly mediated a relationship between disorganised attachment and body mass index (significant indirect relationship; LLCI = .02 ULCI = .16) when both attachment anxiety and avoidance were included as covariates. Conclusions: We suggest that the mechanism underpinning this indirect relationship is a form of maladaptive affect regulation, but that the behavioural motivators differ from those observed in attachment anxious individuals. Rather than eating being a premeditated strategy used by individuals high in disorganised attachment to manage emotion, opportunities to eat are simply taken as they present themselves. An extended theoretical model is presented that incorporates, for the first time, both organized and disorganized forms of attachment orientation into our understanding of eating behavior.

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Emotional eating

Psico ◽

10.15448/1980-8623.2021.1.35452 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. e35452

Author(s):

Roberto Decker ◽

Marcelle Matiazo Pinhatti ◽

Thiago Gomes DeCastro ◽

Lisiane Bizarro

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Psychological Factors ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Weight Status ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Eating Style ◽

Uncontrolled Eating

Emotional Eating (EE) is defined as eating under the influence of negative emotions, and is associated with Eating Disorders, impulsivity, depression and weight gain. However, previous literature is not clear regarding how these variables explain EE. The present study aimed to identify predictors of EE and its relationship to impulsivity, depression, eating style, and weight status in young adults. Sex differences in eating style were examined, and differences in EE between obese/overweight and normal/underweight individuals were tested. Two-hundred college students completed online questionnaires assessing all variables. Low inhibitory control, depression symptoms, female sex, and higher body mass index significantly predicted scores on EE. Obese/overweight and female participants presented increased EE. Correlation analysis evidenced positive associations between EE, Uncontrolled Eating, body mass, and low inhibitory control. Results indicate that EE is related to psychological factors such as impulsivity and depression, and to biological factors, such as sex and body mass.

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