Psychobehavioral profiles of eating risk: schema-emotion regulation patterns differ in central adiposity with...

To identify person-centered psychological profiles of eating-related risk based on early maladaptive schemas (EMS), emotion regulation difficulties, and eating behaviors, and to examine their external validation using anthropometric indices (BMI, waist circumference, WC) and the FTO rs9939609 genotype.

Fifty women aged 18-35 years (approximately balanced between normal weight and overweight/obese groups) completed the YSQ-S3, DERS-36, and QERB. Standardized variables were clustered with k-means (k = 2-4); the optimal solution was selected via silhouette and BIC with stability checks. BMI and WC were used for external validation; FTO rs9939609 (AA/AT/TT) was examined using χ²/Fisher's tests.

A two-cluster solution best fit the data. Cluster 1 (n = 23) showed higher EMS, greater emotion dysregulation, and higher emotional/habitual overeating, alongside higher restraint, whereas Cluster 2 (n = 27) showed a consistently lower-risk profile. Cluster 1 presented higher WC (M = 92.74 cm, SD = 12.86) and BMI (M = 30.44, SD = 5.18) than Cluster 2 (WC: M = 75.19 cm, SD = 18.60; BMI: M = 22.65, SD = 4.15); differences were significant in parametric and nonparametric tests (all p < 0.001; Hedges' g = 1.07-1.65). The FTO genotype distribution did not differ between clusters (χ²(2) = 0.33, p = 0.848).

Distinct schema-emotion regulation profiles may be observable in young women and appear to align with central adiposity and BMI. While FTO rs9939609 did not differentiate clusters, person-centered profiling may help inform hypothesis generation regarding schema- and regulation-focused strategies in weight-related risk, with potential relevance for both clinical and educational contexts.

Level III, observational analytic (cross-sectional) study.