Examining adverse life experiences, disordered eating behaviors and cognitions and weight loss treatment in Peru
Author Identifier
Carlos J. Toro-Huamanchumo: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4664-2856
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Eating Behaviors
Volume
56
Publisher
Elsevier
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
77154
Funders
Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Pilot Award Program
Abstract
Objective: Studies conducted in the US indicate that exposure to trauma, and stigma related to weight are environmental factors associated with the development of disordered eating. Few studies have explored psychosocial and contextual factors surrounding disordered eating in Latin American populations. This study examined everyday discrimination, verbal weight-related abuse, adverse childhood experiences, and disordered eating across individuals seeking versus not seeking weight loss treatment in Peru. Method: Participants (N = 420) were recruited via social media and a weight management clinic in Peru. Participants completed disordered eating, everyday discrimination, verbal weight-related abuse, and adverse childhood experiences measures. Results: The weight loss treatment seeking group showed greater disordered eating behaviors (dietary restraint) and cognitions (body dissatisfaction, overvaluation of shape/weight) compared to the non-weight loss treatment seeking group. Increased experiences of everyday discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, and verbal weight-related abuse were associated with greater levels of disordered eating behaviors and cognitions in both samples. Weight loss treatment seeking status was not a moderator of the relationships among disordered eating behaviors and cognitions, and everyday discrimination. Discussion: Results suggest discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, and verbal weight-related abuse are associated with eating pathology, and more disordered eating and behaviors are seen in individuals seeking or engaged in weight loss treatment. Findings highlight the importance of evaluating eating pathology for individuals reporting, or at high risk for discrimination, childhood trauma or weight-related abuse.
DOI
10.1016/j.eatbeh.2024.101939
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Hymowitz, G., Karvay, Y., Salwen-Deremer, J., Molina, L., Gonzalez, A., & Toro-Huamanchumo, C. J. (2025). Examining adverse life experiences, disordered eating behaviors and cognitions and weight loss treatment in Peru. Eating Behaviors, 56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2024.101939