Exploring gender differences in the link between weight suppression and eating pathology

Abstract

Weight suppression (WS), the difference in one's highest weight (excluding pregnancy) and current weight at current height, is associated with the onset of eating disorders. Previous research has explored the influence of WS in predominantly clinical, female samples. However, the transition to college is a particularly high-risk time for weight gain and the development of eating pathology and men with eating disorders often have higher premorbid weights. This study investigated the associations of WS and dimensions of eating pathology in an undergraduate sample (N=859) and examined the effect of gender. Results demonstrated that higher levels of WS were associated with more dietary restraint (p=0.004) and more frequent purging behaviors (p<0.001); WS was indirectly related to loss-of-control eating through dietary restraint for both men and women (p<0.001). Additionally, men with higher WS were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors, such as vomiting and laxative abuse (p=0.036). Findings suggest that weight history might be especially important to assess in men at risk for disordered eating. This approach might be particularly beneficial with college students due to their heightened risk of eating and weight disturbances.

Keywords: Eating behavior; Gender; Purging behaviors; Weight suppression.