The association between ABO, RH blood types and eating behaviour

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study is to reveal controlled eating, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating behaviours in women referred to the outpatient clinic of Sports Physiology with complaints of obesity, and to search whether an association exists between ABO blood types as well as Rh factor and these behaviours using Three-Factor eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Method: The women between 18 and 65 years of age who referred because of obesity consisted the obesity group (n=197) whereas a control group (n=95) was created from non-obese women who referred to the blood bank as blood donors. Body heights of the women were measured at standing position without shoes. A complete blood analysis was performed including body weight, body mass index, fat percentage, fat weight and lean body weight through bio-impedance (Tanita-BC-418 MA III). The participants were asked to reply the three-factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ)-18) which is an international questionnaire evaluating controlled eating, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating behaviour. Blood type and Rh factor analyses were performed in the blood bank. The patient data collected within the scope of the study were analysed through IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows 20.0 package program. Results: Cognitive restraint was detected to be higher in the blood type A when compared with blood type O whereas uncontrolled eating and emotional eating behaviour were not affected by ABO blood types and Rh factor. Conclusion: A significant result for controlled restriction only in blood type A may guide new studies that will investigate the effect of ABO blood group antigens and Rh factors on eating behaviour.