Eating In Adults Research Articles

High shape and weight importance in adolescence relates to worse body image in the first perinatal period

Understanding whether shape and weight importance in adolescence relates to body image during the perinatal period is essential to inform eating disorder prevention and intervention research. We longitudinally examined the relationship between weight and shape importance during adolescence and body image during (1) pregnancy and (2) the first postpartum year. Participants included 554 women from the Life-course Experiences and Pregnancy (LEAP) study, a longitudinal cohort of women participating since adolescence in Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults). Participants reported shape and weight importance during adolescence (11–18 years old) for Project EAT and retrospectively recalled body image during and after their first pregnancy for the LEAP study 20 years later. Separate linear regression models estimated the longitudinal associations between adolescent shape and weight importance and pregnancy and postpartum body image. After covariate adjustment, results showed small, positive associations between adolescent shape and weight importance and pregnancy (B = 0.07 95 % CI: 0.02, 0.11) and postpartum (B = 0.10, 95 % CI: 0.06, 0.14) body image. These findings indicate that high shape and weight importance in adolescence relates to worse body image across the perinatal period. Results highlight the importance of (1) targeting the years prior to adolescence for eating disorder prevention interventions and (2) providing support and interventions for people in the perinatal period, specifically targeting body image.

Exploring challenges and demands of practising healthy eating in young adults: a qualitative study

Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood for individuals aged 18 to 29 involves challenges and demands. This research explores the key challenges and needs of the lived experiences of young adults aged 18 to 29 in practising healthy eating. A qualitative research methodology was employed, using a phenomenological approach to investigate personal and subjective experiences. The study revealed five focused topics and 20 themes clustered into thirteen information categories reflecting their challenges and demands. It highlights knowledge of healthy eating practices among young adults and the need for targeted support systems and interventions to assist young adults in managing these challenges.

Mediating effect of depression between self-esteem, physical appearance comparison and intuitive eating in adults

The first aim of the study is to clarify the associations between intuitive eating, self-esteem, physical appearance and psychological distress; and second, to assess the mediating effect of psychological distress on the relationship between self-esteem/physical appearance comparison and intuitive eating. A total of 359 Lebanese participants from several Lebanese governorates were enrolled in this cross-sectional study between September and November 2022. The data was collected through an online questionnaire that included the following scales: Intuitive Eating Scale‑2, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Physical Appearance Comparison Scale. The results of the mediation analysis showed that depression partially mediated the association between self-esteem / physical appearance comparison and intuitive eating. Higher self-esteem was significantly associated with lower depression; higher depression was significantly associated with more intuitive eating. Also, higher self-esteem was directly and significantly associated with more intuitive eating. On another hand, higher physical appearance comparison was significantly associated with higher depression; higher depression was significantly associated with more intuitive eating. Finally, higher physical appearance comparison was directly and significantly associated with less intuitive eating. The current study shows how significantly intuitive eating, an adaptive eating pattern, and psychological variables are interrelated and possibly affect each other. It helps shed light on intuitive eating, a somewhat unfamiliar eating pattern within the Lebanese population. These findings allow practitioners to promote healthy eating behaviors and psychological health by educating and guiding patients and clients about intuitive eating.

Negative emotional eating patterns in Chinese adolescents: A replication and longitudinal extension with latent profile and transition analyses

This study, which is a longitudinal extension of previous cross-sectional studies in Chinese and American college students and general adults (Dixit, He, Whited, Ellis, & Zickgraf, 2023; He, Chen, Wu, Niu, & Fan, 2020; Xu et al., 2024), used latent profile and latent transition analyses to investigate negative emotional eating patterns and the stability of these patterns in 1462 Chinese adolescents (41% boys, aged 11−17 years) at baseline and 18 months later. We also explored baseline demographic predictors of negative emotional eating patterns and the associations between these patterns and outcome variables measured 18 months later. Negative emotional eating was measured with the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (emotional undereating and emotional overeating subscales). Latent profile analysis (LPA) replicated the four patterns of negative emotional eating in each wave of assessment: low emotional eating (Low-EE), emotional overeating (EOE), emotional undereating (EUE), and emotional over- and under-eating (EOE-EUE). Latent transition analysis (LTA) showed that the EE patterns had transition probabilities of <55% remaining in the same class across 18 months. Furthermore, relative to adolescents in the stable Low-EE group, adolescents in all other stable or unstable emotional eating groups in LTA were linked to higher eating disorder psychopathology and psychological distress measured 18 months later. Thus, emotional eating, regardless of type (i.e., EOE, EUE, and EOE-EUE) and stability (i.e., stable or unstable), may be a viable research and treatment target in improving adolescents’ eating behaviors and mental health.

Summary for Patients: Time-Restricted Eating in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome.

Summary for Patients: Time-Restricted Eating in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome.

Loss of Control Eating in Adults With Impulsive and/or Inattentive Tendencies.

Previous research has tended to consider impulsive, inattentive, and loss of control eating (LOC) tendencies as symptoms of greater pathologies in treatment-seeking samples. However, inattentive and impulsive tendencies and LOC often co-occur. Although LOC is an important diagnostic component of disordered eating (ED), it has recently been argued to be a dysregulated eating behavior in its own right. The purpose of the current self-report study was, therefore, to investigate the association between impulsive and inattentive tendencies and LOC in adults after accounting for ED. A community sample of 516 adults was surveyed online about their inattentive and impulsive tendencies, LOC, and ED behaviors. A hierarchical multiple linear regression revealed ED, inattentive, and impulsive symptoms to be independent, significant, positive predictors of LOC. These findings suggest that the levels of inattentive and, to a lesser extent, impulsive tendencies are significantly associated with LOC in adults, even after ED is accounted for. Moreover, inattentive tendencies were found to be more significantly associated with LOC than impulsive tendencies. These are novel and important findings that can be used to inform both clinicians and individuals with inattentive and impulsive tendencies alike of this association. Considering the well-documented adverse health and wellbeing outcomes associated with LOC, future feasibility trials are needed aimed at treating this co-occurrence.

Time-Restricted Eating in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Time-restricted eating (TRE), limiting daily dietary intake to a consistent 8 to 10 hours without mandating calorie reduction, may provide cardiometabolic benefits. To determine the effects of TRE as a lifestyle intervention combined with current standard-of-care treatments on cardiometabolic health in adults with metabolic syndrome. Randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04057339). Clinical research institute. Adults with metabolic syndrome including elevated fasting glucose or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; pharmacotherapy allowed). Participants were randomly assigned to standard-of-care (SOC) nutritional counseling alone (SOC group) or combined with a personalized 8- to 10-hour TRE intervention (≥4-hour reduction in eating window) (TRE group) for 3 months. Timing of dietary intake was tracked in real time using the myCircadianClock smartphone application. Primary outcomes were HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and glycemic assessments from continuous glucose monitors. 108 participants from the TIMET study completed the intervention (89% of those randomly assigned; 56 women, mean baseline age, 59 years; body mass index of 31.22 kg/m2; eating window of 14.19 hours). Compared with SOC, TRE improved HbA1c by -0.10% (95% CI, -0.19% to -0.003%). Statistical outcomes were adjusted for age. There were no major adverse events. Short duration, self-reported diet, potential for multiple elements affecting outcomes. Personalized 8- to 10-hour TRE is an effective practical lifestyle intervention that modestly improves glycemic regulation and may have broader benefits for cardiometabolic health in adults with metabolic syndrome on top of SOC pharmacotherapy and nutritional counseling. National Institutes of Health.

Changes in diet quality across life transitions from adolescence to early adulthood: a latent growth analysis

BackgroundAdolescence to early adulthood is a period of multiple life transitions. These transitions, along with changing resources and contexts, could contribute to significant changes in diet, which may persist into later adulthood. ObjectivesWe investigated diet quality trajectories from age 15 to 31 y and changes in diet quality associated with life transitions by sex. MethodsData from the Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) study in Minnesota, the United States were used to examine diet quality among a longitudinal cohort (n = 2524) across 4 waves (mean ages of 15, 19, 25, and 31 y). Average within-person changes in DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) scores were analyzed using sex-specific latent growth models, incorporating underlying growth trajectories, 5 life transitions, and baseline sociodemographic and health characteristics. ResultsBoth sexes followed a quadratic trajectory of DASH scores, showing decreases in diet quality from Wave 1 to 2 followed by increases until Wave 4. However, males had increasingly worse diet quality than females. Compared with no such transition, leaving the parental home between Waves 1 and 2, was associated with transient decreases in diet quality at Wave 2 only for males (β: −2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.57, −1.11). For females, cohabitating with a partner and becoming a parent between Waves 3 and 4 were related to decreases (β: −1.96; 95% CI: −3.45, −0.47) and increases (β: 1.85; 95% CI: 0.47, 3.23), respectively, in diet quality at Wave 4. Leaving full-time education and starting full-time employment showed negative and positive associations, respectively, with long-term diet quality for both sexes. ConclusionsDiet quality remained suboptimal throughout adolescence and improved across early adulthood. Targeted dietary interventions are welcome for young people who leave their parental home early or do not enter a structured school or workplace environment and for addressing sex differences in diet quality associated with family-related life transitions.

Exploring the interplay between social media addiction, mindful eating, intuitive eating, orthorexia nervosa, and mental health in young adults

Exploring the interplay between social media addiction, mindful eating, intuitive eating, orthorexia nervosa, and mental health in young adults

Picky eating in adults: Investigating its relationship with MEDFICTS diet assessment questionnaire score and visceral adiposity index

BACKGROUND: Picky eating is defined as “consuming a limited variety of foods, being strict about the preparation and presentation of preferred foods, and being reluctant to try new foods”. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the picky eating behaviours of adults and the “MEDFICTS (Meats, Eggs, Dairy, Frying, Fats in Bakery Products, Prepared Foods, Fats Added at the Table, Snacks) Dietary Assessment Questionnaire” score and “Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI)”. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, data of 580 adults aged between 19–64 years were evaluated. Descriptive Information Form, “Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ)”, “MEDFICTS Diet Assessment Questionnaire”, “International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF)” were used to collect data. The VAI score was calculated with the formula using the “Body Mass Index (BMI)”, “Waist Circumference (WC)”, “High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)” and “Triglyceride (TG)” levels. RESULTS: There is a negative relationship between APEQ total score (β:–0.228, p &lt; 0.05), APEQ “Food Presentation” (β:–0.172, p &lt; 0.05) and “Taste Avoidance” (β:–0.117, p &lt; 0.05) subscales and MEDFICTS score. There is a negative relationship between APEQ total score (β:–0.089, p &lt; 0.05), APEQ “Food Presentation” (β:–0.112, p &lt; 0.05) subscales and VAI. CONCLUSIONS: In adults, picky eating behavior is associated with decreased MEDFICTS Diet Assessment Questionnaire score and reductions in VAI.

Religiosity in adolescence and body satisfaction and disordered eating in adolescence and young adulthood: cross-sectional and longitudinal findings from project EAT

PurposeThis research identified whether adolescent religiosity was associated with body satisfaction and disordered eating in adolescence and early adulthood and explored gender/sex differences in these associations.MethodsProject EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) is a longitudinal cohort study following participants from adolescence into young adulthood. For this analysis (N = 1620), religiosity (importance of religion and frequency of religious service participation) during adolescence was examined as a correlate of body satisfaction and disordered eating (binge eating, maladaptive behaviors intended to lose or maintain weight, eating to cope, and dieting) at the same life stage (EAT-II, 2003–2004, Mage = 19.4 years) and during young adulthood (EAT-IV, 2015–2016, Mage = 31.5 years). Analyses used linear and logistic regression models adjusted for demographics and adolescent body mass index.ResultsDuring adolescence, females who placed greater importance on religion had higher body satisfaction, 22% higher odds of binge eating, and 19% greater odds of dieting in the past year, while more frequent attendance of religious services was associated with higher body satisfaction and 37% greater odds of dieting past year. Among males, only frequent attendance of religious services was associated with higher adolescent body satisfaction. Longitudinally, among females, only frequent attendance of religious services in adolescence predicted higher levels of body satisfaction in young adulthood. No significant longitudinal associations were observed among males.ConclusionsOur findings contribute to understanding the complex interplay between religiosity, gender, and body satisfaction. Further research should explore cultural factors influencing these associations and qualitative aspects of religious experiences to inform nuanced interventions.Level of evidence: Level III, cohort study.

The association between appetite and eating behaviors among Chinese female university students

BackgroundYoung females are at a higher risk of developing unhealthy eating behaviors. This study investigated the relationship between appetitive traits and eating behaviors among female university students. MethodsThe study participants were 520 female university students from a public university in Eastern China. Appetitive traits were assessed using the Chinese version of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (C-AEBQ). Data on eating behaviors, including food intake frequency, meal regularity, and dieting behavior, were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported data. Pearson's and Spearman's correlations were used to correlate appetitive traits with BMI and eating behaviors. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify different appetitive patterns, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between different appetitive patterns and eating behaviors. ResultsTwo food-approach traits (food enjoyment and emotional over-eating) were positively correlated with BMI, while two food-avoidance traits (slowness in eating and satiety responsiveness) showed negative correlations. Food responsiveness was linked to a higher intake of delivered food, spicy food, and sugar-sweetened beverages, whereas satiety responsiveness was correlated with more frequent meal skipping. The LPA identified four appetitive patterns: food approachers, food approachers with emotional under-eating, food avoiders, and food avoiders with emotional over-eating. Food avoiders had significantly lower BMI than the other groups. Compared to food approachers, food avoiders skipped breakfast more frequently, and food avoiders with emotional over-eating skipped both breakfast and lunch more often. After adjusting for BMI, appetitive patterns showed no significant relationship with dieting behavior. ConclusionAmong female university students, appetitive patterns correlated with eating behaviors, and students with food-avoidance patterns had a higher risk of meal irregularity. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing trait- and pattern-specific approaches to promote healthy eating behaviors among female university students.

Validation of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) in a young adult Black sample in the U.S.: Evaluating the psychometric properties and associations with BMI

The Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) is an instrument developed in the UK and used to examine appetitive traits in adults. The AEBQ is divided into four Food Approach subscales, namely; Enjoyment of Food, Emotional Overeating, Food Responsiveness and Hunger, and four Food Avoidance subscales, namely; Emotional Undereating, Food Fussiness, Slowness in Eating, and Satiety Responsiveness. The instrument has been validated in a number of countries. However, there is limited evidence to show the validation of the AEBQ in predominantly Black populations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to validate the AEBQ in a Black young adult sample in the U.S.A. Participants (n = 229) consisted of young adults with an average age (20.97 ± 4.31) attending a Central Virginia Historically Black University. Reliability Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted. Correlations, as well as multivariate multiple linear regression models were estimated. Food Avoidance subscales demonstrated more internal consistency than the Food Approach subscales. The CFA results indicated a 7-factor model in which the Hunger subscale was eliminated to fit the data better overall. The Food Approach subscales demonstrated more convergent validity than the Food Avoidance subscales. BMI significantly predicted both Emotion Overeating and Emotional Undereating, as well as Food Fussiness. Moreover, both sex and age significantly predicted Emotional Undereating, Food Responsiveness and Hunger. Further, sex significantly predicted Emotional Overeating and Satiety Responsiveness. Lastly, depression predicted Emotional Undereating. In conclusion, this study provided some evidence to support the use of the AEBQ as a reliable and valid measure of adult eating behavior.

The significance of cultural context in the classification of preferred mouth behavior: Exploring eating behavior using causal network analysis

AbstractPreferred mouth behavior studies have mostly focused on Western populations using the JBMB tool to determine how food is manipulated in the mouth. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between preferred mouth behavior and eating behavior among the diverse group of 209 Malaysians participants. A series of Analysis of Variances and an unsupervised machine learning technique known as Latent Class Clustering were utilized to determine individual's oral behavior. The Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire was later modeled using causal networks, specifically Partial Least Squares‐Confirmatory Factor Analysis, to uncover relationship between appetitive qualities. The results from this study showed that cultural context and appropriateness play an essential role when classifying preferred mouth behavior using behavioral questionnaires and models. Furthermore, this study also determined the relationship between eating behavior and preferred mouth behavior, as well as unique differences in eating behavior observed among the mouth behavior groups.

Perceived comfort with weight, body shape and eating pattern of young adults with type 1 diabetes and associations with clinical and psychological parameters in a clinical setting

BackgroundHigher prevalence of disordered eating in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) culminates in higher levels of morbidity and mortality. In addition to validated questionnaires for diabetes distress, depression/anxiety symptoms and emotional well-being, the Diabetes Psychosocial Assessment Tool (DPAT) includes three questions about comfort with weight, body shape and eating pattern (WSE), which were derived from literature and multidisciplinary team consensus. Recognising individuals with low comfort with WSE, is the first step towards identifying those who may be at risk of developing eating disorders.AimsObserve comfort with WSE, in young adults with T1D, and its associations with demographic/clinical characteristics and psychological parameters.Methods276 young adults, aged 15–26, who attended routine clinical care at a Young Adult Diabetes Clinic, completed the DPAT. The WSE questions were scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 indicating lowest comfort). Linear regression analysed differences in comfort with weight and eating pattern by demographic and psychological parameters.Results1 in 3 young adults (29%) reported low comfort with WSE (scores 1 or 2). In females, 40%, 41% and 35% had low comfort with weight, shape and eating patterns respectively, in comparison to males in whom it was 18.5%, 16% and 21.5%. Females reported lower comfort with weight and eating pattern (mean 2.9 and 3.0 respectively) than Males (mean 3.7 and 3.6 respectively), each p < 0.001. Lower comfort with weight (p < 0.001) and eating pattern (p = 0.001) was associated with higher body mass index (BMI). Young adults with low comfort with weight and eating pattern experienced elevated diabetes distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (each p < 0.001), also when adjusted for sex and BMI.ConclusionsThe study has shown that low comfort with WSE is common among young adults with T1D. Adding these questions into routine care, can allow for easy and early identification of low comfort, initiation of a therapeutic dialogue and implementation of focused management strategies.

Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Telehealth Intervention to Improve Adherence to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Habits in Overweight or Obese Young Adults.

Excess weight and obesity have high prevalence rates globally and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth emerged as an effective tool for promoting healthy behaviours in the management of chronic conditions. This study employed a three-month quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention measurements, assessing the progress of 82 adults assigned either to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). A total of 66 participants completed the study, with 33 in each group. The IG had access to a telehealth-based platform providing educational content on healthy lifestyle habits and were followed up both in-person and remotely. The CG were monitored as usual, i.e., at their primary care nurses' discretion. The IG exhibited a statistically significant reduction in weight, BMI, and abdominal circumference, along with improved adherence to a heart-healthy diet, specifically the Mediterranean diet, and higher levels of physical activity. The nurse-led intervention (Care4US+), utilising telehealth from primary care, has proven effective in enhancing healthy behaviours and reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

Barriers and facilitators to healthy eating in disadvantaged adults living in the UK: a scoping review

In the UK people living in disadvantaged communities are less likely than those with higher socio-economic status to have a healthy diet. To address this inequality, it is crucial scientists, practitioners and policy makers understand the factors that hinder and assist healthy food choice in these individuals. In this scoping review, we aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to healthy eating among disadvantaged individuals living in the UK. Additionally, we used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to synthesise results and provide a guide for the development of theory-informed behaviour change interventions. Five databases were searched, (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) for articles assessing healthy dietary intake of disadvantaged adults living in the UK. A total of 50 papers (34 quantitative; 16 qualitative) were included in this review. Across all studies we identified 78 barriers and 49 facilitators found to either impede and/or encourage healthy eating. Both barriers and facilitators were more commonly classified under the Environmental, Context and Resources TDF domain, with 74% of studies assessing at least one factor pertaining to this domain. Results thus indicate that context related factors such as high cost and accessibility of healthy food, rather than personal factors, such as lack of efficiency in healthy lifestyle drive unhealthy eating in disadvantaged individuals in the UK. We discuss how such factors are largely overlooked in current interventions and propose that more effort should be directed towards implementing interventions that specifically target infrastructures rather than individuals.

Efficacy of Naltrexone/Bupropion in Treatment of Binge Eating: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: As the most widespread eating disorder in the world now, binge eating disorder (BED) is a mental condition characterized by recurrent periods of excessive food consumption and an inability to regulate one’s portion sizes. The utilization of a bupropion–naltrexone (NB) combination has been suggested as a potential therapeutic approach for BED. Assessing the effectiveness of NB in the treatment of BED and its accompanying obesity is the purpose of this research. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in order to obtain any pertinent articles. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Clinical Trials were consulted against in the databases that were searched. In our final meta-analysis, we incorporated interventional or observational studies that documented the effects of NB therapy for binge eating in adults. We also examined the difference in the mean change between the NB and placebo groups, as well as the disparity in outcomes before and after treatment. Results: This study shows that the use of an NB combination is associated with a statistically significant reduction in the weight, BMI, and Binge Eating Scale (BES) of the patients compared to their weight before treatment with MD: −8.52 (95% CI: −10.01–−6.94, p &lt; 0.00001), MD: −4.95 (95%CI: −9.72–−0.17, p = 0.04), and MD: −7.66 (95%CI: −14.36–0.96, p = 0.02), respectively. The absolute mean change was statistically significantly higher in the drug combination group compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: NB showed efficacy in the improvement of the weight and psychiatric symptoms associated with BED and this provides a promising treatment option.

A Study Protocol for Voice4Healthy-Eating: Using Smart Speaker-Based Voice Assistant for Healthy Eating in Older Adults

A Study Protocol for Voice4Healthy-Eating: Using Smart Speaker-Based Voice Assistant for Healthy Eating in Older Adults

Cross-Sectional and Prospective Associations Between Time-Restricted Eating and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Cross-Sectional and Prospective Associations Between Time-Restricted Eating and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies