Sex Differences in Disinhibited Eating and Coping of Adolescent Military Dependents
Abstract
Adolescent military dependents face unique psychosocial stressors that may place them at increased risk for maladaptive coping behaviors and disinhibited eating patterns, such as emotional eating (EE) and loss of control (LOC) eating, and subsequent unhealthy excess weight gain. Across civilian samples, girls engage in EE and LOC eating more frequently than boys; yet, sex differences in coping patterns are unclear. Therefore, we examined the associations among coping patterns, sex, and disinhibited eating behaviors in 113 adolescent (14.4 plus or minus 1.5y) military dependents (54 percent female, 43.3 percent Non-Hispanic White, BMIz=1.97 plus or minus .42) at high risk for eating disorders and excess weight gain prior to beginning a trial aimed at preventing both conditions. Adjusting for race and BMIz, maladaptive coping styles were associated with greater EE scores for the entire sample (ps less than .05) and girls reported using adaptive coping styles more often than boys (ps less than or equal to .05). Sex also moderated the relationship between adaptive coping behaviors and EES-C score, such that boys who used more stress-recognition and distraction coping patterns reported more EE (ps < less than .05). There were no significant relationships between coping styles and LOC eating. Implications for the prevention of adult obesity and the development of eating disorders in relation to coping behaviors are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 03, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1128450
Entities
People
- William W. Leu
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences