Markers of eating behaviors in a diverse group of obese and normal weight women

Obesity among US Hispanic women is greater vs. non‐Hispanic white women and increasing, possibly attributed to biological, environmental, and learned factors. 77 women were classified by ethnicity [Hispanic (H) (n=37, BMI 28.6±7.1 kg/m²; 29 ± 6 y) or non‐Hispanic white (NHW) (n=40, BMI 28.4 ± 7.2 kg/m²; 31 ± 6 y)] and weight [obese (Ob) (n=36, BMI 34.7 ± 5.4 kg/m²; 32 ± 5 y) or normal weight (Nw) (n=41, BMI 23.0 ± 2.3 kg/m²; 29 ± 7 y)]. Participants completed food records and eating behavior questionnaires. Ob scored higher for disinhibition (Stunkard’s Three Factor Eating Questionnaire) (Ob = 8.2 ± 3.7, Nw = 4.7 ± 3.4, p<0.01), hunger (Ob = 5.8 ± 3.5, Nw = 3.7 ± 2.3, p<0.01), bulimia/food preoccupation (Ob = 1.3 ± 2.4, Nw = 0.5 ± 1.1, p=0.05), and bulimia/BED (Gormally’s BES: Ob = 16.2 ± 8.4, Nw = 7.9 ± 5.7, p<0.01). Ob consumed greater energy, fat, and saturated fat (p<0.05). NHW had greater disinhibition (NHW = 7.2 ± 3.9, H = 5.4 ± 3.7, p=0.02). No differences were found between ethnic groups for other eating behaviors or dietary intake. Results suggest Ob had more abnormal eating practices than Nw, and differences in the obesity rate between ethnic groups may be partially explained by behavioral factors.