Chanyuan Tang1, Marita Cooper2, Saihai Wang3, Jianwen Song1, Jinbo He4. 1. School of Humanities and Social Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China. 2. Eating Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, US. 3. College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. 4. School of Humanities and Social Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China. anlfhe@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders and obesity are commonly recognized as key public health concerns worldwide. Although rates of obesity and disordered eating have traditionally been lower in China than Western countries, these rates are on the rise. As such, interest is growing in identifying mechanisms that may address these conditions. While associations between body weight and dissatisfaction are well established, burgeoning research aims to examine how these factors are related to dietary restraint and body image inflexibility. This study aimed to explore the possible mediation effect of body dissatisfaction and body image inflexibility between body weight (body mass index) and dietary restraint. Furthermore, we explored how these relationships differed across men and women. METHODS: A sample of 1068 young adults (563 females and 505 males) in China participated in the study. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire as well as the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. RESULTS: Results showed that: (1) body dissatisfaction and body image inflexibility fully mediated the relationship between body mass index and dietary restraint; (2) this model fit both genders, although differences were found in the regression coefficients between the mediation model for men and women. CONCLUSION: These findings support body image dissatisfaction and inflexibility as mediators of the relationship between body weight and dietary restraint, highlighting these as potential mechanisms for treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control analytic study.
OBJECTIVE:Eating disorders and obesity are commonly recognized as key public health concerns worldwide. Although rates of obesity and disordered eating have traditionally been lower in China than Western countries, these rates are on the rise. As such, interest is growing in identifying mechanisms that may address these conditions. While associations between body weight and dissatisfaction are well established, burgeoning research aims to examine how these factors are related to dietary restraint and body image inflexibility. This study aimed to explore the possible mediation effect of body dissatisfaction and body image inflexibility between body weight (body mass index) and dietary restraint. Furthermore, we explored how these relationships differed across men and women. METHODS: A sample of 1068 young adults (563 females and 505 males) in China participated in the study. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire as well as the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. RESULTS: Results showed that: (1) body dissatisfaction and body image inflexibility fully mediated the relationship between body mass index and dietary restraint; (2) this model fit both genders, although differences were found in the regression coefficients between the mediation model for men and women. CONCLUSION: These findings support body image dissatisfaction and inflexibility as mediators of the relationship between body weight and dietary restraint, highlighting these as potential mechanisms for treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control analytic study.
Keywords:
Body dissatisfaction; Body image inflexibility; Body mass index; Body weight; Cognitive restraint; Dietary restraint; Disordered eating; Young adults
Authors: Meg Lawless; Lenka H Shriver; Laurie Wideman; Jessica M Dollar; Susan D Calkins; Susan P Keane; Lilly Shanahan Journal: Eat Behav Date: 2019-10-28