Psychological pathways influencing body fat changes among restrained eaters: Stress, eating and exercise behaviors

A prospective study was conducted to test eating (energy intake) and exercise behaviors (energy expenditure) as explanations of stress-induced body fat gain of high restrained eaters (dieters), a group identified as being vulnerable to obesity. Participants were female high restrained eaters and low restrained eaters with a mean age of 19.19 years (SD = 0.67). Stress, body fat, energy intake, and weekly exercise were measured at the low stress baseline, high stress pre-examination, and low stress recovery. High restrained eaters showed an increase in body fat during high stress while low restrained eaters showed no change. The increase in body fat was not due to energy intake but was possibly due to a decrease in energy expenditure, as inferred from decreased exercise levels. Hence, high restrained eaters may be vulnerable to body fat gain during stress due to decreased exercise. In conclusion, obesity prevention programs for restrained eaters should not only focus on regulating energy intake but should also target physical exercise.

Author dc:creator

• LAI ZHAOXIU

• dieting, obesity, stress, energy intake, exercise