Abstract
This secondary analysis study addressed a gap of knowledge: whether perceived stress reduction created by a lifestyle intervention might serve as a mediator for reducing fat and fast food intakes in low-income overweight or obese mothers of young children. This analysis included 338 low-income overweight or obese mothers of young children who completed a phone interview immediately after the 16-week lifestyle intervention. Valid surveys were used to assess perceived stress and fat and fast food intakes. Composite indicator structural equation modeling was performed to test the mediation effects. The overall effect of the intervention was not significant for fat intake but was significant for fast food intake (B = −0.53, p < 0.05). When assessing the potential role of perceived stress as a mediator, the indirect effects of the intervention on fat (B = −0.39, p < 0.01) and fast food (B = −0.27, p < 0.01) intakes were both significant. Future dietary intervention studies aimed to reduce fat and fast food intakes in low-income overweight or obese mothers of young children might consider including practical strategies aimed at reducing perceived stress.
Highlights
One in two American low-income women of child-bearing age are overweight or obese [1], especially those who give birth [2]
The objective of this paper is to examine whether stress serves as a potential mediator of the intervention effects on reducing fat and fast food intakes
When controlling for the intervention, higher stress was significantly associated with higher fat intake (B = 3.20, p < 0.001, POMP = 6.99%) and higher fast food intake (B = 2.19, p < 0.001, POMP = 7.28%)
Summary
One in two American low-income women of child-bearing age are overweight or obese [1], especially those who give birth [2]. Being low-income increases risks for being overweight or obese [3], which is strongly associated with increased caloric intake (e.g., fast food intake) and cardiovascular disease [4]. Weight loss in overweight or obese women of child-bearing age is achievable via modification of dietary intake behaviors [7,8,9]. Most weight loss intervention studies have focused on decreasing dietary fat intake [10], an effective strategy for weight loss [11]. Intervention engagement challenges low-income overweight or obese mothers of young children, partially due to high levels of perceived stress (hereafter, stress) [12,13]
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