Emotional Eating Partially Mediates the Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Obesity in Latina Women Residing in the Northeast U.S.

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To examine the mediating role of emotional eating (EE) in the association between food insecurity (FI) and obesity in U.S. Latina women. Methods This study had a cross-sectional design. Participants were Latina women (n = 297) recruited from a community health center serving a large portion of the Latino population in Lawrence, Massachusetts. FI was measured with the 6-item USDA Household Food Security Scale. EE was measured with the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2. Measured height and weight were used to calculate BMI; obesity was defined as BMI > 30.0 kg/m2. Covariates included: age, education, marital status, physical activity and country of birth. Mediation was tested using the Baron and Kenny method and the mediated proportion was calculated. Analyses included multivariable logistic regression and linear regression. Results Women were on average 46 ± 5 years. The majority were Dominicans (73%), born outside of the U.S. (78%), and with an education level of high school or less (70%). Overall, 36% of women experienced FI. Compared to food secure women, FI women were more likely to be obese (42% vs. 58%; P = 0.01), and had higher emotional eating scores (2.02 vs. 1.78; P = 0.03). In adjusted models, FI was associated with higher odds of obesity (Step 1 = OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.08–2.94) and higher EE scores (Step 2 = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.009–0.45). In turn, EE was associated with higher odds of obesity (Step 3 = OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.37–2.41). When EE was included in the main effects model, FI was only marginally significantly associated with obesity (Step 4 = OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 0.96–2.72) and EE explained 22% of the association between FI and obesity. Conclusions The association between FI and obesity is partially mediated by EE in Latina women. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings and to determine whether EE is an important intervention target to decrease obesity in this vulnerable group. Funding Sources Research reported in this abstract was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.