Abstract
BackgroundSuccessful weight management involves the regulation of eating behavior. However, the specific mechanisms underlying its successful regulation remain unclear. This study examined one potential mechanism by testing a model in which improved body image mediated the effects of obesity treatment on eating self-regulation. Further, this study explored the role of different body image components.MethodsParticipants were 239 overweight women (age: 37.6 ± 7.1 yr; BMI: 31.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2) engaged in a 12-month behavioral weight management program, which included a body image module. Self-reported measures were used to assess evaluative and investment body image, and eating behavior. Measurements occurred at baseline and at 12 months. Baseline-residualized scores were calculated to report change in the dependent variables. The model was tested using partial least squares analysis.ResultsThe model explained 18-44% of the variance in the dependent variables. Treatment significantly improved both body image components, particularly by decreasing its investment component (f2 = .32 vs. f2 = .22). Eating behavior was positively predicted by investment body image change (p < .001) and to a lesser extent by evaluative body image (p < .05). Treatment had significant effects on 12-month eating behavior change, which were fully mediated by investment and partially mediated by evaluative body image (effect ratios: .68 and .22, respectively).ConclusionsResults suggest that improving body image, particularly by reducing its salience in one's personal life, might play a role in enhancing eating self-regulation during weight control. Accordingly, future weight loss interventions could benefit from proactively addressing body image-related issues as part of their protocols.
Highlights
Successful weight management involves the regulation of eating behavior
Since obesity is a product of energy imbalance and highly reliant on dietary energy intake and energy expenditure, it is not surprising that healthy weight management almost always involves the successful regulation of eating behavior
Improving body image might be a potential mechanism involved in the successful regulation of eating behaviors and obesity treatment is a critical setting to test this hypothesis
Summary
Successful weight management involves the regulation of eating behavior. the specific mechanisms underlying its successful regulation remain unclear. This study examined one potential mechanism by testing a model in which improved body image mediated the effects of obesity treatment on eating selfregulation. Overweight and obesity remain highly prevalent in Western cultures and constitute a major cause of preventable co-morbidities and death [1,2,3] They are associated with substantial health care costs [3]. Improving intervention efficacy remains a critical challenge and identifying mechanisms or factors Improving body image might be a potential mechanism involved in the successful regulation of eating behaviors and obesity treatment is a critical setting to test this hypothesis
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