Martina Zwaan1, Stefan Engeli2, Astrid Müller3. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. 2. Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: mueller.astrid@mh-hannover.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Weight cycling is a prevalent phenomenon in obese individuals. There is evidence that temperamental factors are associated with obesity and subgroups among the obese have been identified based on reactive and regulative aspects of temperament. METHODS: We aimed at investigating the association between reactive and regulative aspects of temperament and severe weight cycling in overweight and obese individuals of a representative German population sample (n = 923). Participants completed questionnaires assessing weight parameters including BMI and weight cycling, sensitivity to punishment and to reward (BIS/BAS scales), self-regulatory abilities (effortful control scale), depressive symptoms, and binge eating. RESULTS: Severe weight cycling was more common in women, and was associated with higher reward sensitivity, higher current and maximum-ever BMI, higher weight suppression, more depressive symptoms, and a higher prevalence of binge eating. In contrast, sensitivity to punishment and effortful control were not associated with severe weight cycling. Also, the interaction between sensitivity to reward and effortful control did not predict weight cycling. DISCUSSION: Higher reward sensitivity might not only render individuals vulnerable for weight regain but might also be associated with a higher frequency of weight loss attempts due to the putative rewarding properties of the initial success in weight loss at the early stages of a diet. Temperamental factors should be considered in the treatment of obesity.
OBJECTIVE: Weight cycling is a prevalent phenomenon in obese individuals. There is evidence that temperamental factors are associated with obesity and subgroups among the obese have been identified based on reactive and regulative aspects of temperament. METHODS: We aimed at investigating the association between reactive and regulative aspects of temperament and severe weight cycling in overweight and obese individuals of a representative German population sample (n = 923). Participants completed questionnaires assessing weight parameters including BMI and weight cycling, sensitivity to punishment and to reward (BIS/BAS scales), self-regulatory abilities (effortful control scale), depressive symptoms, and binge eating. RESULTS: Severe weight cycling was more common in women, and was associated with higher reward sensitivity, higher current and maximum-ever BMI, higher weight suppression, more depressive symptoms, and a higher prevalence of binge eating. In contrast, sensitivity to punishment and effortful control were not associated with severe weight cycling. Also, the interaction between sensitivity to reward and effortful control did not predict weight cycling. DISCUSSION: Higher reward sensitivity might not only render individuals vulnerable for weight regain but might also be associated with a higher frequency of weight loss attempts due to the putative rewarding properties of the initial success in weight loss at the early stages of a diet. Temperamental factors should be considered in the treatment of obesity.
Authors: Carly R Pacanowski; Jennifer A Linde; Lucy F Faulconbridge; Mace Coday; Monika M Safford; Haiying Chen; Susan Z Yanovski; Linda J Ewing; Rena Wing; Robert W Jeffery Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2018-03 Impact factor: 4.267