The Homeostatic Theory of Obesity: An Empirical Verification of the Circle of Discontent with an Assessment of Its Relationship to Restrained and Uncontrolled Eating among Children and Adolescents

Kamila Czepczor-Bernat, Anna Brytek-Matera and Paweł Matusik
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Kamila Czepczor-Bernat: Faculty of Psychology in Katowice, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 40-326 Katowice, Poland
Anna Brytek-Matera: Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, 50-527 Wroclaw, Poland
Paweł Matusik: School of Medicine in Katowice, Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to provide an empirical verification of the Circle of Discontent with an assessment of its relationship to restrained and uncontrolled eating among children and adolescents. This study examined whether our results confirm a new hypothesized model. The total sample comprised 282 children and adolescents (148 girls and 134 boys; 141 participants with normal body weight and 141 with obesity). The mean age was 12.23 years ( SD = 2.80), and the average BMI (body mass index) was 23.29 kg/m 2 ( SD = 6.27). The following were used: Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children, Children’s Body Image Scale, Figure Rating Scale, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and Eating Disorders in Youth. The obtained values of the model fit indices proved the goodness of fit. Our findings show that obesity accompanies body dissatisfaction and uncontrolled and restrictive eating. Moreover, the higher the level of restrictive eating, the lower the level of uncontrolled eating. The relationships between body dissatisfaction, negative affect and restrictive eating, as well as that between uncontrolled eating and high-energy consumption, are significant and positive. Other relationships are non-significant. The above-mentioned relationships established in the Circle of Discontent, as well as relationships of restrained and uncontrolled eating with variables described in the circle, were confirmed. Based on our results, preventive strategies and psychological interventions can be created and may include changes in body image, eating behaviors and emotional functioning.

Keywords: childhood obesity; the homeostatic theory of obesity; the circle of discontent; children; adolescents; body dissatisfaction; negative affect; restrictive eating; uncontrolled eating; high-energy consumption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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