Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2025
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
11.0K
Psychological pathways explaining the prospective association between obesity and physiological dysregulation
I Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra1, Michael Daly2, Angelina Sutin3
1University of Liverpool, Institute of Population Health, Department of Psychology.
Summary
Psychological factors largely do not explain the link between obesity and physiological dysregulation. However, weight stigma may contribute to obesity-related health declines by increasing weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity is linked to negative psychological conditions that can impact physiological health.
- Understanding the psychological mediators of obesity-related physiological dysregulation is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether psychological measures mediate the prospective association between obesity and physiological dysregulation in older adults.
- To examine the roles of depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, weight stigma, and positive affect as potential mediators.
Main Methods:
- Utilized longitudinal data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (Study 1) and the Health and Retirement Study (Study 2).
- Included representative samples of U.K. and U.S. older adults (≥50 years) with 4-year follow-up.
- Assessed a range of psychological measures and clinical indicators of cardiovascular, immune, and metabolic function.
Main Results:
- Obesity prospectively predicted physiological dysregulation in both studies.
- Weight stigma, particularly changes in weight stigma over time, partially explained the association between obesity and physiological dysregulation.
- No other tested psychological measures significantly mediated this relationship.
Conclusions:
- Psychological factors, except for weight stigma, do not largely explain the prospective association between obesity and physiological dysregulation.
- Weight stigma may contribute to obesity-related physiological declines through its association with increased weight gain.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
549
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
549
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
166
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
166
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
289
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
289
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
56
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
56
01:29Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
262
The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
262
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
148
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
148