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Anxiety Sensitivity and Fast-Food Ordering Habits Among Black Adults
Vijay Nitturi1, Tzu-An Chen1, Michael J Zvolensky2
1The University of Houston, Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, and the University of Houston, HEALTH Research Institute, Houston, Texas.
Health Behavior Research
|September 20, 2021
Summary
High anxiety sensitivity in Black adults is linked to ordering more unhealthy fast food and less healthy options. This may contribute to overweight and obesity rates.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Black adults face high rates of overweight/obesity, worsened by fast-food consumption.
- Anxiety sensitivity, a fear of anxiety sensations, is linked to increased caloric intake.
- This study explores the connection between anxiety sensitivity and fast-food ordering in Black adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between anxiety sensitivity and fast-food ordering habits.
- To understand how fear of anxiety sensations influences dietary choices in Black adults.
- To identify potential targets for interventions addressing obesity in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A convenience sample of 124 Black adults (84.8% overweight/obese) participated.
- Anxiety Sensitivity Index 3 and custom-designed fast-food ordering frequency items were used.
- Covariate-adjusted ordinal logistic regression models analyzed the relationships.
Main Results:
- Higher anxiety sensitivity (total and physical concerns) correlated with increased ordering of supersized unhealthy fast food.
- Higher anxiety sensitivity (total and cognitive concerns) correlated with decreased ordering of healthy fast food items.
- These findings highlight a behavioral link between psychological traits and dietary patterns.
Conclusions:
- Elevated anxiety sensitivity may drive fast-food ordering behaviors contributing to overweight/obesity.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore anxiety sensitivity-reduction interventions.
- Interventions targeting anxiety sensitivity could potentially influence dietary choices and combat obesity.
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