Psychological mechanisms associated with food security status and BMI in adults: a mixed methods study. Issue 14 (29th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Myers, Candice A; Beyl, Robbie A; Martin, Corby K; Broyles, Stephanie T; Katzmarzyk, Peter T
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 23:Issue 14(2020)
• Page Start: 2501
• Page End: 2511
• Publication Date: 2020-10-29
• Subjects: Food security, -- BMI, -- Psychological mechanisms, -- Delay discounting, -- Grit, -- Future time perspective, -- Subjective social status; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980020000889
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study examined psychological constructs (delay discounting, grit, future time perspective and subjective social status) in relation to food security status and body weight. Design: A simultaneous triangulation mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were collected in fifty-six adults. Independent variables included food security status (food secure or food insecure) and BMI category (normal weight or overweight/obese). Participants, matched on race (African American and White), were categorised into four food security status by BMI category groups. Psychological constructs were measured via validated questionnaires. Qualitative data were collected in a subsample of twelve participants via in-depth interviews. Setting: This study was conducted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Participants: The sample was 66 % female and 48 % African American with a mean age of 32·3 (sd 9·2) years and BMI of 28·8 (sd 7·7) kg/m 2 . Results: Quantitative results showed that food-insecure participants with overweight/obesity had greater delay discounting (–3·78 v . –6·16, P = 0·01; –3·78 v . –5·75, P = 0·02) and poorer grit (3·37 v . 3·99, P = 0·02; 3·37 v . 4·02, P = 0·02 ) than their food-secure counterparts and food-insecure participants with normal weight. Food-insecure participants with overweight/obesity also had a shorter time period for financial planning (0·72 v . 4·14, P = 0·02) than food-secure participants with normal weight. Qualitative data largely supported quantitative findings with participants discussing varied perceptions of psychological constructs. Conclusions: This study found differences in delaying gratification, grit and financial planning between food security status and body weight groups.