Abstract

MORAL DE LA RUBIA, José  and  MEZA PENA, Cecilia. Prediction of eating behavior alteration in Mexican women. Salud Ment [online]. 2012, vol.35, n.6, pp.491-497. ISSN 0185-3325.

Objective To determine which socio-demographic, anthropometric, ego functions, cognitive, affective, social and behavioral variables are associated and predict eating alteration. Methods A sample by quotas of Body Mass Index group: (50% overweight and obesity and 50% normal weight) was used. The questionnaires of Overeating and Ego Function Assessment were applied to a random sample of 20 to 40 years old women, resident in the city of Monterrey, Mexico (N=217). Results A model that takes as hypothesis overeating by affective alteration was contrasted. Affective alteration and greater age predict overeating; the last one leads to weight gain, to which the age also contributes. The affective alteration is predicted by ego functional deficiencies, primitive object relationships and higher education level. The weight gain generates corporal image preoccupation and motivation to lose weight (probably by physical and health problems). At the same time, the corporal image dissatisfaction, increased by affective alteration, motivates to lose weight. This model shows a good fit to the data (χ2 [32, N=217]=38.14, p=.21, GFI=.97, AGFI=.94 y RMSEA=.03). Conclusions Ego function deficiencies lead to chronic problems of adaptation and relations, which generate affective alteration that is faced with self-in-dulgency in eating. The consequent weight gain increases the corporal dissatisfaction and the desire to lose weight. Diets and unresolved affective alterations can contribute in the future to an eating disorder.

Keywords : Obesity; overweight; women; body image; Mexico.

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