The implicit association of high-fat foods with shame and its link with eating disorder symptoms: The moderating role of race/ethnicity. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elran-Barak, Roni
• Is Part Of: Eating behaviors. Volume 41(2020)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Implicit associations -- High-fat food -- Race -- Ethnicity -- Eating disorder symptoms; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; Compulsive eating -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101498
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-0153

Abstract

Abstract: Background: An interesting debate in the literature is about the role of race/ethnicity not only as a risk factor for eating disorders (EDs), but also as a moderator of the relations between other risk factors and ED symptoms. The following research question was explored: Does race/ethnicity moderate the relations between the implicit belief that high-fat food is shameful and ED symptoms? Methods: About 15, 000 (N = 14, 964) volunteers (67.7% White, 7.7% Asian, 7.4% Hispanic, 6.9% Black) completed the Implicit Association Test (IAT) measuring the implicit associations between high-fat (vs. low-fat) food and shameful (vs. acceptable) on the Project Implicit mental-health website (https://implicit.harvard.edu ) between 2011 and 2017. ED symptoms and demographics were measured via self-report. Results: Race/ethnicity moderated (beta = 0.087, p = .002) the relations between IAT and ED symptoms, adjusting for BMI, age, sex, education, such that the IAT was related to ED symptoms among Whites ( r = 0.113, p < .001), Hispanics ( r = 0.086, p = .004), and Asians ( r = 0.097, p = .001), but not Blacks ( r = 0.056, p = .071). Discussion: Although the effect size was small, findings imply that some ED risk factors may vary among racial/ethnic groups. Future studies should use prospective designs to examine whether implicit biases actually represent a risk factor for ED symptoms and whether this varies by race/ethnicity. Highlights: Implicit associations about high-fat food are linked to eating disorders (EDs). The IAT can examine the implicit associations of high-fat food with shame. About 15, 000 participants (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian) completed the IAT. Race/ethnicity moderated the relations between IAT scores and ED symptoms. The link of IAT with ED symptoms was stronger among Whites relative to Blacks.