Determinants of disordered eating behaviors: Body mass index, emotional eating, dietary restriction, and motives for eating palatable foods

Abstract

Objective The study aimed to investigate the relationships between body mass index, reasons for consuming palatable foods, emotional eating, cognitive dietary restraint, and disordered eating behaviors in young adults. Methods This study was conducted with 800 young adults, in Ankara, Türkiye. A questionnaire consisting of questions about socio-demographic characteristics, health status, and instruments including Eating Attitudes Test-26, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire, Palatable Eating Motives Scale, and The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire were applied through face-to-face interviews. Results According to the Eating Attitudes Test-26, 17.2% of males and 27.7% of females were at risk for disordered eating behaviors (χ2 =9.750, p=0.002). The mean scores of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-emotional eating, cognitive restraint subscales, and the positive and negative scores of the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire were higher in males than in females (p<0.05). The mean scores of the Palatable Eating Motives Scale-coping and reward enhancement motives were higher in females, while the mean score for the conformity motives was significantly higher in males. Body mass index, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-cognitive restraint subscale, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire-negative, and PEMS-conformity motives were found for predictors for Eating Attitudes Test-26 (all p<0.05). Conclusion The results showed a high tendency for emotional eating, consumption of palatable foods, and cognitive dietary restraint in young adults, and these factors were considered determinants for eating disorders.