title: Mediation of self-regulation and mood in the relationship of changes in high emotional eating and nutritional behaviors: Moderating effects of physical activity.
abstract: High emotional eating (EE) is prevalent in women with obesity. A previous study's subsample of obese women classified as high emotional eaters participated in either a physical activity-focused experimental (n = 29) or an educationally focused comparison (n = 22) behavioral treatment and was assessed over phases of expected weight loss (baseline-month 6) and short- and long-term regain (months 6-12 and 6-24, respectively). The study's aim was to assess theory-based psychological and behavioral mediation and moderation of changes in nutritional behaviors via emotional eating change in order to inform behavioral weight-loss treatments. During the weight-loss phase, significant improvements in eating self-regulation and mood significantly mediated the relationship of reduced EE and intake of both fruits and vegetables (FV) and sweets. Self-regulation was a significant independent mediator. Physical activity significantly moderated the relationship between EE and self-regulation changes. All variables demonstrated large positive effects and significant time × group interactions favoring the experimental group. During the short and long-term phases of expected weight regain, there were no significant changes in FV intake, although consumption of sweets significantly increased during months 6-24. Change in FV and sweets significantly predicted weight change, which was significantly greater in the experimental vs. comparison group over both the initial 6 months (-6.1% vs. -2.6%) and full 24 months of the study (-7.6% vs. -1.3%). Findings suggest that behavioral treatments should address EE through improvements in self-regulation and mood, and supported physical activity will aid in that process. The need for an improved understanding of weight-loss maintenance remains.
authors.affiliation: YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. jamesa@ymcaatlanta.org.|Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA. jamesa@ymcaatlanta.org.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Annesi
authors.affiliation: Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mareno
authors.affiliation: YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: McEwen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004435:Eating; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Self-regulation; emotional eating; nutrition; physical activity