Abstract
Background
The associations among people's level of autonomy in regulating their eating behaviors,
food patterns, and degree of obesity have not been investigated in a general adult
population.
Objectives
Our objectives were to cross-sectionally examine, in a nationally representative sample
of adult New Zealand women, the associations between different styles of eating behavior
regulation and body mass index (BMI), with specific food and eating habits as hypothesized
mediators.
Design
During May 2009, a sample of 2,500 New Zealand women aged 40 to 50 years was randomly
selected from the nationwide electoral rolls. A 66% (n=1,601) participation rate was
achieved. Potential participants were mailed a self-administered questionnaire containing
the Regulation of Eating Behavior scale, questions on specific food and eating habits
(frequency of binge eating, speed of eating, usual daily servings of fruits and vegetables,
usual frequency of intake of several high-fat and/or high-sugar foods), and height
and weight.
Statistical analyses
Univariate linear regression models were used to examine the associations among demographic,
health and behavioral variables, and BMI. Multivariate linear regression models were
developed to investigate the relationships between autonomous and controlled forms
of eating behavior regulation and BMI, with specific food and eating habits as mediators.
Results
After adjusting for potential confounders as well as specific food and eating habits
that were potential mediators, BMI was statistically significantly lower by 2% (95%
CI −2.7% to −1.4%; P<0.001) for every 10-unit increase in autonomous regulation, and statistically significantly
higher by 1.4% (95% CI 0.4% to 2.3%; P=0.005) for every 10-unit increase in controlled regulation. The relationships between
autonomous regulation and BMI as well as controlled regulation and BMI were only partially
mediated by the specific food and eating habits measured.
Conclusions
Although the direction of causality requires confirmation, the results provide support
for the applicability of Self-Determination Theory, and suggest that developing more
autonomous motivation for eating behavior is likely to facilitate healthier food habits
and lower BMI in middle-aged women.
Keywords
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Biography
S. L. Leong is a research assistant and postgraduate student, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Biography
C. Madden is a research assistant and postgraduate student, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Biography
C. Horwath is a senior lecturer, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Biography
A. Gray is a biostatistician, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 28, 2012
Accepted:
April 12,
2012
Footnotes
FUNDING/SUPPORT This project was supported by the Performance-Based Research Fund, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
