Behavioral and cognitive predictors of body mass index in African American females

This study explored the relationship among behavioral factors, cognitive factors and body mass index (BMI, kg/m 2 ). Participants included 128 African American females with a mean BMI of 31.9 and a mean age of 36.2 years. The Eating Behavior Patterns Questionnaire measured dimensions of eating behavior related to dietary intakes and health: low fat eating, emotional eating, snacking on sweets, cultural/lifestyle behaviors, haphazard planning and meal skipping. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale and God Locus of Health Control Scale were adapted to assess participants’ internal, chance, health professionals, other people and God weight locus of control. A modified Rokeach's Value Survey determined the value participants placed on weight and health relative to other values. The Eating Self Efficacy Scale assessed participants’ confidence in their ability to control overeating in a variety of circumstances. Measured height and weight were used to calculate participants’ BMI. Multiple regression was used to predict BMI, and potential independent variables included six dimensions of eating behavior, five dimensions of weight locus of control, weight and health value, eating self efficacy, interaction of weight value and internal locus of control and interaction of health value and internal locus of control. The only significant (p<.05) predictor of BMI was eating self efficacy, which accounted for 8.6% of the variance [R=.294, R 2 =.086, F (1, 126) = 11.894, p =.001]. More difficulty controlling overeating was associated with higher BMI. An understanding of behavioral and cognitive factors related to BMI will aid in the development of more effective weight management interventions in this population.