Navigating the obesogenic environment: How psychological sensitivity to the food environment and self-regulatory competence are associated with adolescent unhealthy snacking. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stok, F. Marijn; De Vet, Emely; Wardle, Jane; Chu, Maria T.; De Wit, John; De Ridder, Denise T.D.
• Is Part Of: Eating behaviors. Volume 17(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Obesogenic environment -- Power of food -- Self-regulation -- Adolescence -- Eating behavior -- Snacking; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; Compulsive eating -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2014.12.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-0153

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Living in an obesogenic environment may not affect all adolescents to the same extent, depending on their psychological sensitivity to the food environment and their self-regulatory competence. The purpose of the current study was to examine associations of these two factors with unhealthy snacking among adolescents. We also investigated whether self-regulatory competence could attenuate the negative effects of being sensitive to the food environment. Methods: A survey was completed by 11, 392 European adolescents (10–17 years old). The survey measured psychological sensitivity to the food environment, self-regulatory competence and self-reported unhealthy snack intake. Results: Higher food environment sensitivity and lower self-regulatory competence were associated with more unhealthy snacking. The two factors also interacted, with self-regulatory competence attenuating the influence of high food environment sensitivity. Discussion: Adolescents who are sensitive to the food environment reported higher unhealthy snack intake. More frequent use of self-regulation strategies on the other hand was associated with lower unhealthy snack intake. Moreover, self-regulatory competence was found to moderate the influence of psychological sensitivity to the food environment on unhealthy snacking, although the effect size was small. Fostering adolescents' self-regulatory competence can help enable them to better navigate the obesogenic environment. Highlights: Adolescents reporting higher psychological sensitivity to the food environment consumed more unhealthy snacks. Adolescents with better self-regulatory competence consumed fewer unhealthy snacks. Self-regulatory competence slightly attenuated the association between food environment sensitivity and unhealthy snacking. Self-regulatory competence may help adolescents navigate the obesogenic environment.