Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspective
Abstract Background The rising global overweight/obesity rate has led to an increase of research attention in one of its antecedents: addiction-like eating (AE). Under the framework of life history (LH) theory, the present study aimed at examining not only the association between AE and body mass in...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eating Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01356-1 |
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| author | Haofeng Ling Bin-Bin Chen Hengyue Zhang Hong Mian Yang Anise M. S. Wu |
| author_facet | Haofeng Ling Bin-Bin Chen Hengyue Zhang Hong Mian Yang Anise M. S. Wu |
| author_sort | Haofeng Ling |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The rising global overweight/obesity rate has led to an increase of research attention in one of its antecedents: addiction-like eating (AE). Under the framework of life history (LH) theory, the present study aimed at examining not only the association between AE and body mass index (BMI) but also the effects of LH strategy on AE, via two cognitive mediators (i.e., compensatory health beliefs [CHB] and personal relative deprivation [PRD]). Method A convenience sample of 660 Chinese adults (45.9% males, M age=33.33, SD = 7.62, Range = 19–69 years) was recruited to participate in an anonymous online survey. Results Bivariate correlations revealed significant positive association between AE and BMI (r = 0.12, p < 0.001) and negative association between slow LH strategy and AE (r = − 0.38, p < 0.001). Path analyses revealed both significant direct (β=−0.15, 95%CI [− 0.23, − 0.06]) and indirect effects (via CHB and PRD) of LH strategy on AE (β=−0.06, 95%CI [− 0.10, − 0.03] and β=−0.16, 95%CI [− 0.20, − 0.11]). Additional model testing provided preliminary evidence that AE fully mediated the association between LH strategy and BMI (β=−0.03, 95%CI [− 0.06, − 0.01]). The indirect effect of LH strategy on BMI, via CHB/PRD and AE, serially, was also significant (β=−0.02, 95%CI [− 0.03, − 0.01] and β=−0.04, 95%CI [− 0.06, − 0.02]). Discussion Our study provided additional empirical support regarding the capacity of LH theory to shed light on the mechanisms underlying behavioral addiction. This study was the first of its kind to examine how LH strategy may stimulate resource-related cognitive beliefs, which contribute to addictive behaviors and associated outcomes. Findings have useful implications regarding future research directions and interventions targeting AE and weight control. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8233b1fc7ee4363bf6cc7b6828b945a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-2974 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8233b1fc7ee4363bf6cc7b6828b945a2025-08-24T11:03:28ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742025-08-0113111010.1186/s40337-025-01356-1Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspectiveHaofeng Ling0Bin-Bin Chen1Hengyue Zhang2Hong Mian Yang3Anise M. S. Wu4Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of MacauDepartment of Psychology, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of MacauFaculty of Health and Wellness, City University of MacauDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of MacauAbstract Background The rising global overweight/obesity rate has led to an increase of research attention in one of its antecedents: addiction-like eating (AE). Under the framework of life history (LH) theory, the present study aimed at examining not only the association between AE and body mass index (BMI) but also the effects of LH strategy on AE, via two cognitive mediators (i.e., compensatory health beliefs [CHB] and personal relative deprivation [PRD]). Method A convenience sample of 660 Chinese adults (45.9% males, M age=33.33, SD = 7.62, Range = 19–69 years) was recruited to participate in an anonymous online survey. Results Bivariate correlations revealed significant positive association between AE and BMI (r = 0.12, p < 0.001) and negative association between slow LH strategy and AE (r = − 0.38, p < 0.001). Path analyses revealed both significant direct (β=−0.15, 95%CI [− 0.23, − 0.06]) and indirect effects (via CHB and PRD) of LH strategy on AE (β=−0.06, 95%CI [− 0.10, − 0.03] and β=−0.16, 95%CI [− 0.20, − 0.11]). Additional model testing provided preliminary evidence that AE fully mediated the association between LH strategy and BMI (β=−0.03, 95%CI [− 0.06, − 0.01]). The indirect effect of LH strategy on BMI, via CHB/PRD and AE, serially, was also significant (β=−0.02, 95%CI [− 0.03, − 0.01] and β=−0.04, 95%CI [− 0.06, − 0.02]). Discussion Our study provided additional empirical support regarding the capacity of LH theory to shed light on the mechanisms underlying behavioral addiction. This study was the first of its kind to examine how LH strategy may stimulate resource-related cognitive beliefs, which contribute to addictive behaviors and associated outcomes. Findings have useful implications regarding future research directions and interventions targeting AE and weight control.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01356-1Life history strategyFood addictionObesityOverweightPath analysis |
| spellingShingle | Haofeng Ling Bin-Bin Chen Hengyue Zhang Hong Mian Yang Anise M. S. Wu Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspective Journal of Eating Disorders Life history strategy Food addiction Obesity Overweight Path analysis |
| title | Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspective |
| title_full | Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspective |
| title_fullStr | Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspective |
| title_short | Associations of addiction-like eating with personal relative deprivation, compensatory health beliefs, and body mass index from the life history perspective |
| title_sort | associations of addiction like eating with personal relative deprivation compensatory health beliefs and body mass index from the life history perspective |
| topic | Life history strategy Food addiction Obesity Overweight Path analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01356-1 |
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