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. 2016 Dec 5;3(1):59-68.
doi: 10.1002/osp4.80. eCollection 2017 Mar.

Physical activity, eating traits and weight in young adulthood: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

R S Falck  1 , C Drenowatz  2 , J E Blundell  3 , R P Shook  4 , J R Best  1 , G A Hand  5 , S N Blair  2
Affiliations

Physical activity, eating traits and weight in young adulthood: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

R S Falck et al. Obes Sci Pract. .

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between eating traits (e.g. dietary restraint or opportunistic eating) and weight - both cross-sectionally and longitudinally - and whether physical activity (PA) moderates these associations.

Methods: Two-hundred seventy young adults (21-35 years; BMI: 25.40 kg/m2 [SD = 3.90 kg/m2]; 48.90% female) participated in this 12-month observational cohort study. Cognitive Restraint (CR), Disinhibition (DI) and Hunger (HU) were measured using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire at baseline and 12 months. Participants were measured at quarterly intervals for objectively measured PA and anthropometrics. Cross-sectional and longitudinal models determined if eating traits were associated with weight or weight change, and whether these associations were moderated by PA.

Results: At baseline, higher CR (B = 0.429, p < 0.01) and DI (B = 0.942, p < 0.01) were associated with higher weight. The associations of DI (B = -0.008 p = 0.02) and HU (B = -0.006, p = 0.04) with weight were moderated by PA at baseline. The longitudinal model for CR determined PA altered the relationship between change in CR and weight change (B = 0.004, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Eating traits and PA are associated with weight and weight change. However, to elucidate how PA and eating traits directly affect weight changes, future weight loss interventions should investigate whether improving eating traits and concomitantly increasing PA amplify weight loss.

Keywords: Eating behaviours; epidemiology; physical activity; weight.

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Conflict of interest statement

RSF has nothing to disclose. CD reports grants from The Coca‐Cola Company during the conduct of this study. JEB reports grants from Novo Nordisk and the Almond Board of California, and consultancy fees from General Mills. RPS reports grants from The Coca‐Cola Company outside the submitted work. JRB has nothing to disclose. GAH reports grants from The Coca‐Cola Company during the conduct of the study and non‐financial support from The Coca‐Cola Company outside the submitted work. SNB reports grants from The Coca‐Cola Company, during the conduct of this study; and gives many lectures each year at scientific meetings, academic institutions and other organizations, outside the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical display of the interaction between disinhibition (DI) and physical activity (PA) on baseline weight. Predicted baseline weight for participants with PA and disinhibition (DI) above/below 1 SD of mean. Error bars represent standard error. Predicted weight calculated using beta estimates from cross‐sectional model.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graphical display of the interaction between changes in cognitive restraint (CR) and changes in physical activity (ΔPA) on weight change over 12 months. Predicted 12‐month weight change (12 months – baseline) for participants with PA and CR changes above/below 1 SD of mean change. Error bars represent standard error. Predicted weight change calculated using beta estimates from longitudinal model.
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