Understanding the relationship between obesity and positive and negative affect: the role of psychosocial mechanisms.
We examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and positive and negative affect, and evaluated whether this relationship is mediated (or suppressed) by physical health, intrusiveness of weight on physical functioning, and distressing interpersonal interactions. Analyses were based on a national sample of more than 3,000 adults ages 25 to 74. Class II (BMI 35-39.9) and Class III (BMI> or =40) obesity were associated with more frequent negative affect and less frequent positive affect, even after demographic and socioeconomic status characteristics were controlled. After the purported pathway variables were controlled, however, obese I persons reported significantly more frequent positive affect, while overweight, obese I, and obese II persons reported significantly less frequent negative affect, compared to normal weight persons. These patterns did not differ significantly by race or gender. Our findings suggest that excessive body weight is not necessarily distressing, yet the physical and interpersonal strains associated with obesity may impair one's mood. We discuss the implications for policy and practice.
Carr
Deborah
D
Department of Sociology and Center for Demography of Health and Aging, University of Wisconsin, 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706, United States. carr@ssc.wisc.edu
Friedman
Michael A
MA
Jaffe
Karen
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011287:Prejudice; D012737:Sex Factors; D012945:Social Values; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology; D001741:Black or African American