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Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
Published on: June 5, 2016
Compulsive buying: relationship with body mass index
Randy A Sansone1, Joy Chang, Bryan Jewell
1Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA. sansone@khnetwork.org
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|March 19, 2013
Summary
Compulsive buying behaviors correlate with higher body mass index (BMI) in adults. This association is particularly significant among Caucasian women, suggesting a specific link between compulsive buying and BMI in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Compulsive buying is linked to self-regulatory issues, including eating disorders.
- Previous research suggests a connection between psychological distress and physical health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between compulsive buying, measured by the Compulsive Buying Scale (CBS), and body mass index (BMI).
- To examine if this relationship differs across racial groups.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to 373 obstetrics/gynecology patients.
- Self-reported CBS scores and BMI were analyzed for correlations.
- Data were analyzed overall and stratified by race.
Main Results:
- A modest positive correlation was found between CBS scores and BMI (r = 0.17, P < 0.01).
- The correlation was significant among Caucasian women (r = 0.25, P < 0.01).
- No significant correlation was observed in African American women (r = 0.04, P = n.s.).
Conclusions:
- Compulsive buying is associated with increased BMI in adulthood.
- The relationship between compulsive buying and BMI is more pronounced in Caucasian women.
- These findings highlight a potential public health concern linking behavioral patterns to physical health indicators.
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