Eating behavior and body composition in Chilean young adults.

BACKGROUND

Notable weight gain is observed during young adulthood, compared to other adult age groups, yet the relation between eating behavior and body composition at this stage remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association between eating behavior scores (cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating), and body composition in a sample of Chilean young adults.

METHODS

Logistic and linear regression models assessed the independent associations between cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating, derived from the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18, and body mass index (BMI), percent body fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and central obesity, accounting for demographic covariates, stratified by sex, in a sample of 555 participants of the Santiago Longitudinal Study (mean age 22.6 years [SD 0.4]).

RESULTS

Cognitive restraint was positively associated with obesity, defined by BMI, % body fat, and central obesity. Emotional eating was related to obesity, defined by % body fat and central obesity in men and women and to obesity, defined by BMI, in women. Cognitive restraint was related to BMI in men and % body fat in women. Uncontrolled eating was not associated with adiposity in men or women.

CONCLUSIONS

In Chilean young adults, cognitive restraint and emotional eating scores were associated with higher BMI, elevated percent body fat, and greater central obesity.