Abstract
Objective
To examine the mediating role of emotional eating (EE) in the association between
food insecurity (FI) and obesity in Latina women.
Design
A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study.
Participants
Women (n = 297) were recruited from a community health center in Lawrence, MA.
Variables measured
The 6-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Scale was used to
measure FI. The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised 18-item, version 2 was used
to measure EE. Measured height and weight were used to calculate body mass index.
Covariates included: age, education, marital status, number of children in the house,
physical activity, and country of birth.
Analysis
Multivariable logistic and linear regressions. Mediation was tested and the mediated
proportion was calculated.
Results
Overall, 36.7% of women experienced FI. In adjusted regression models, FI was positively
associated with obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–2.97;
P = 0.02) and EE (β = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.001–0.44; P = 0.05), and EE was positively associated with obesity (OR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.37–2.42;
P < 0.01). When EE was included in the main effects model, FI was not significantly
associated with obesity (OR = 1.64; 95% CI, 0.97–2.76; P = 0.06) and EE explained 21% of the association.
Conclusions and Implications
Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the findings. If the findings are confirmed,
future studies can explore interventions to ameliorate EE among Latina women experiencing
FI, and providers can screen for EE in Latinas experiencing FI.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 20,
2020
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
