Can self-regulation explain why not everyone is overweight or obese?

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether self-regulation and dichotomous thinking might help to explain why some individuals maintain a normal body weight despite living in an obesogenic environment. Design: Cross sectional correlational design. Methods: Young Australians (142 female, 56 male; aged 20-35 years) completed a survey which included the Behavioural Weight Self-Regulation Questionnaire (BEWS-Q), the Dichotomous Thinking in Eating Disorders Scale (Byrne et al., 2008), and the SCOFF eating disorders screening tool (Morgan, 1999). Results: Results regarding self-regulation were opposite to those hypothesised; BEWS-Q scores were positively correlated with maximum lifetime Body Mass Index (BMI), dichotomous thinking, and disordered eating. Marked gender differences emerged throughout, with significant relationships between variables for the females in the sample, but not for the males. Weight pattern across time (e.g., lifelong weight maintainer, or weight cycler) was significantly associated with more variables than was BMI category. Conclusions: A uniform approach to weight management is unlikely to be effective, given the differences between males and females in this study. Also, excessive focus on weight behaviours and eating may be counterproductive to weight management. Weight across time may be more important than current BMI when considering weight management.