Dissertation
Body Image, Eating Behavior, and Dietary Intake in Adults
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005507
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/118985
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the relationships between body image, eating behaviors, and dietary intake in adults. Diet quality has a substantial impact on health, yet most Americans do not meet national recommendations. Based on the Embodied Self Model, body image and eating behaviors may be related to intake. However, only a few studies have identified these relationships. As positive and negative body image, and maladaptive and adaptive eating behaviors are qualitatively different, exploring how these factors relate to intake may help to promote positive diet quality in adults. In addition, no studies have assessed the relationship between positive body image and diet quality. Using an online survey, we collected quantitative data from a community sample to explore these relationships. Study 1 (Chapter 2) used structural equation modeling to assess relationships between intuitive eating and dietary intake and to explore differences by sex and food insecurity status. Results indicate intuitive eating subscales were not consistently related to intake of nutritious foods. The relationship between intuitive eating and dietary intake differed by sex and food security status. Study 2 (Chapter 3) used a series of hierarchical linear regressions to examine positive and negative body image, adaptive and maladaptive eating behaviors, and diet quality in adults. Results indicate body image and maladaptive eating behaviors were not associated with diet quality. Body-food choice congruence was the only factor associated with diet quality and mediated the relationship between body image and diet quality. Study 3 (Chapter 4) used latent profile analysis to identify profiles of body image, describe differences in profile membership by sex, and explore the relationship between profile membership, eating behaviors, and diet quality. Four profiles: average, accepting & dissatisfied, dissatisfied, and appreciative best fit the data. While diet quality did not differ by profile membership, there were significant differences in gender and eating behavior across profiles. Overall, our results suggest body image and adaptive eating behavior may be relevant to screening, prevention, and interventions to promote diet quality.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Body Image, Eating Behavior, and Dietary Intake in Adults
- Creators
- Alexandra Malia Timpson Jackson
- Contributors
- Jane Lanigan (Advisor)Yoshie Sano (Committee Member)Anne E Cox (Committee Member)Louise Parker (Committee Member)Pablo Monsivais (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 184
- Identifiers
- 99900592361101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation