Relationship of eating behavior to long-term weight change and body mass index: The Healthy Twin study

Abstract

This study examined the relationships of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) subscales with weight change and with current body mass index (BMI). A total of 1576 adult twins and their families (578 Korean men, 998 Korean women, age 44.5+/-12.9 years) participating in the Healthy Twin study completed a survey that included the DEBQ, self-reported weight at 20 years old and intentionally lost weight over the past 4 years. Their anthropometric measurements were taken. Using the general linear models, restrained eating was positively associated with weight gain from 20 years old to current age [beta (B) =1.01, standard error (SE)=0.27, p<0.001], and with current BMI (B=0.33, SE=0.09, p<0.001) after adjusting for demographics, health-related behaviors, energy intake, and emotional and external eating. Likewise, emotional eating was positively associated with weight gain (B=0.83, SE=0.28, p<0.001), and with current BMI (B=0.35, SE=0.10, p=0.003) after adjusting those factors, and restrained and external eating. However, external eating was not associated with both outcomes. In conclusion, high restrained eating or emotional eating may be indicators for long-term weight gain and high BMI in Korean twins and their families.