Utilisation of the health belief model to study the behavioural intentions relating to obesity management among university students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are excessive fat accumulations linked with many health problems, including heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Multiple studies have demonstrated that beliefs about overweight, obesity and self-efficacy play essential roles in the success of interventions for obesity management. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the perceptions of university students of overweight and obesity using the health belief model (HBM) and to analyse their association with the body mass index (BMI) categories of the students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study and a multistage sampling technique were used to ensure the recruitment of students from selected colleges of Jazan University-Saudi Arabia. SETTING: Six colleges of Jazan University were randomly selected to ensure equal representation of health sciences, sciences and humanities colleges. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 579 students completed an online survey between January and April 2023. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were demographic characteristics and HBM constructs. Secondary outcome measures were behavioural intentions relating to obesity management. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that gender and self-reported family history of obesity were significantly correlated with the BMI categories of the students (p <0.001). Students in the underweight category showed the highest mean score for perceived severity (3.62 ±0.08). Perceived self-efficacy in exercise and diet was significantly associated with BMI categories, with adjusted ORs of 2.82 (2.10 to 3.79) and 1.51 (1.09 to 2.09), respectively. Perceived barriers to healthy eating and regular physical activity were significantly related to the behavioural intentions of obesity management. Multivariate logistic regression showed that perceived severity, perceived cues to action, perceived barriers and self-efficacy in dieting and exercise were significant predictors of behavioural intentions for the management of obesity. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the need for tailored health promotion strategies that consider the perceptions and beliefs of people about the management of obesity.

Social anxiety and psychological distress among polycystic ovarian syndrome patient's in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the fear of negative evaluation as a predictor, and to explore the association of social anxiety with psychological correlates among women with polycystic ovaries. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2020 to November 2021 after approval form the University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised unmarried women aged 18-26 diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. The sample was raised from different clinics and hospitals based in Lahore and Gujranwala cities. The sample was divided into obese, hirsutism and acne vulgaris groups. Data was collected using a demographic proforma along with standardised Derriford Appearance Scale, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients, 60(33.3%) were in each of the 3 groups. The overall mean age was 21.4+/-2.27 years. A significant association of fear of negative evaluation was found with appearance distress, social anxiety and loneliness (p<0.05). The fear of negative evaluation and appearance distress also significantly predicted loneliness in the subjects (p<0.01). The obese group scored significantly higher in terms of fear of negative evaluation and social anxiety compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Women with polycystic ovaries were found to be suffering from adverse psychological outcomes and social anxiety.

Conditioned overconsumption is dependent on reinforcer type in lean, but not obese, mice.

Associative learning can drive many different types of behaviors, including food consumption. Previous studies have shown that cues paired with food delivery while mice are hungry will lead to increased consumption in the presence of those cues at later times. We previously showed that overconsumption can be driven in male mice by contextual cues, using chow pellets. Here we extended our findings by examining other parameters that may influence the outcome of context-conditioned overconsumption training. We found that the task worked equally well in males and females, and that palatable substances such as high-fat diet and Ensure chocolate milkshake supported learning and induced overconsumption. Surprisingly, mice did not overconsume when sucrose was used as the reinforcer during training, suggesting that nutritional content is a critical factor. Interestingly, we also observed that diet-induced obese mice did not learn the task. Overall, we find that context-conditioned overconsumption can be studied in lean male and female mice, and with multiple reinforcer types.

Benefits managers' attitudes toward obesity treatment coverage.

Despite the existence of effective treatments, obesity continues to present a severe public health crisis. Limited access to treatments works against efforts to reduce obesity prevalence. A major barrier to treatment access is a lack of insurance coverage. This study focused on an important population of stakeholders: benefits managers. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between attitudes about insurance coverage of obesity treatments and obesity stigma. Benefits managers have the ability to advocate for insurance coverage of medical interventions. We assessed whether attitudes toward covering obesity benefits for employees could be modified by receiving targeted information or were associated with particular factors. We recruited participants from Dun & Bradstreet's employer database using emails. Participants were randomized to one of three conditions that provided written information about: (1) prevalence of obesity (control), (2) prevalence + financial implications of obesity, and (3) prevalence + physiology of obesity. Questionnaires were self-administered online. The response rate was 4.8%, with 404 participants meeting eligibility criteria. While attitudes toward coverage of obesity interventions did not differ significantly based on condition (p > 0.05), gender, history of previous obesity treatment, and an individual's likelihood to attribute obesity to biological and environmental factors showed significant associations with supporting coverage of obesity treatment (p < 0.05). Findings suggest that understanding obesity as a condition caused by biological factors as opposed to personal responsibility and behavior is associated with greater support for coverage of all its treatments.

The Associations of Physical Activity and Health-Risk Behaviors toward Depressive Symptoms among College Students: Gender and Obesity Disparities.

Engaging in health-risk behaviors (HRBs) may be correlated with depressive symptoms among college students, but these relationships require more research. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of physical activity levels (i.e., light [LPA] and moderate-vigorous [MVPA]) and HRBs (i.e., sedentary behavior [screen-based and non-screen-based behavior] and cigarette and e-cigarette tobacco use) with depressive symptoms in a sample of college students. Physical activity levels and HRBs were assessed through validated questionnaires. In total, 366 students participated (Mage = 22.59 ± 3.54; 60.1% female; 52.9% normal weight). E-cigarette use in males (ß = 0.23, p < 0.05) and screen-based sedentary behavior in females (ß = 0.14, p < 0.05) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. In the overweight/obese group, screen-based sedentary behaviors (ß = 0.19, p < 0.05) and e-cigarette use (ß = 0.23, p < 0.01) showed significant predictive utility toward depressive symptoms. Females reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (Mfemale = 18.23 vs. Mmale = 14.81; η2 = 0.03) and less MVPA (Mmale = 52.83 vs. Mfemale = 41.09; η2 = 0.06) than males. Enhancing mental health by improving physical activity and eliminating HRBs should be tailored toward at-risk demographics.

'My goal was to become normal'-A qualitative investigation of coping with stigma, body image and self-esteem long-term after bariatric surgery.

Improved self-esteem and body image, as well as reduced experiences of weight stigma are important patient-reported obesity treatment outcomes. However, more knowledge is needed about how individuals who have undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) perceive themselves and their bodies and use different coping strategies in relation to body image and self-esteem long-term after MBS. In this qualitative study body image, self-esteem, weight stigma and coping strategies were explored among 18 individuals who underwent MBS more than 10 years ago when interviewed. Using reflexive thematic analysis, two primary themes were identified: 'Experiences of living with a stigmatised body' and 'Coping with weight stigma, body image and self-esteem', and eight sub-themes. Findings capture frequent experiences of weight stigma before bariatric surgery, the need for coping with stigma and body dissatisfaction before and after MBS, and how different coping strategies are related to participants' perceptions of their bodies and self-concepts. More adaptive coping strategies, such as confrontation and cognitive restructuring may facilitate more positive body image outcomes, than more ruminative and avoidant strategies. Understanding adaptive coping strategies can be useful to develop interventions to reduce negative consequences of weight stigma on body image and self-esteem.

Multiple mediation of the association between childhood emotional abuse and adult obesity by anxiety and bulimia - a sample from bariatric surgery candidates and healthy controls.

Bulimia, which means a person has episodes of eating a very large amount of food (bingeing) during which the person feels a loss of control over their eating, is the most primitive reason for being overweight and obese. The extended literature has indicated that childhood emotional abuse has a close relationship with adverse mood states, bulimia, and obesity. To comprehensively understand the potential links among these factors, we evaluated a multiple mediation model in which anxiety/depression and bulimia were mediators between childhood emotional abuse and body mass index (BMI). A set of self-report questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), was sent out. Clinical data from 37 obese patients (age: 29.65 ± 5.35, body mass index (BMI): 37.59 ± 6.34) and 37 demographically well-matched healthy people with normal body weight (age: 31.35 ± 10.84, BMI: 22.16 ± 3.69) were included in the investigation. We first performed an independent t-test to compare all scales or subscale scores between the two groups. Then, we conducted Pearson correlation analysis to test every two variables' pairwise correlation. Finally, multiple mediation analysis was performed with BMI as the outcome variable, and childhood emotional abuse as the predictive variable. Pairs of anxiety, bulimia, and depression, bulimia were selected as the mediating variables in different multiple mediation models separately. The results show that the obese group reported higher childhood emotional abuse (t = 2.157, p = 0.034), worse mood state (anxiety: t = 5.466, p < 0.001; depression: t = 2.220, p = 0.030), and higher bulimia (t = 3.400, p = 0.001) than the healthy control group. Positive correlations were found in every pairwise combination of BMI, childhood emotional abuse, anxiety, and bulimia. Multiple mediation analyses indicate that childhood emotional abuse is positively linked to BMI (ß = 1.312, 95% CI = 0.482-2.141). The model using anxiety and bulimia as the multiple mediating variables is attested to play roles in the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and obesity (indirect effect = 0.739, 95% CI = 0.261-1.608, 56.33% of the total effect). These findings confirm that childhood emotional abuse contributes to adulthood obesity through the multiple mediating effects of anxiety and bulimia. The present study adds another potential model to facilitate our understanding of the eating psychopathology of obesity.

Influence of mental and behavioral factors on weight loss after bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple factors are related to lower weight loss after bariatric surgery. This review and meta-analysis evaluates the influence of several mental and behavioral factors on weight loss. METHOD: Six electronic databases were searched. Percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) was calculated for all moderator and non-moderator groups of the variables: symptoms of depression, anxiety and binge eating, compliance, physical activity, quality of life, and body image. All moderators, surgery types, and follow-up moments were analyzed separately. RESULTS: In total, 75 articles were included in the review; 12 meta-analyses were conducted. Higher postoperative compliance to follow-up was associated with 6.86%-13.68% higher EWL. Preoperative binge eating was related to more weight loss at 24- and 36-month follow-up (7.97% and 11.79%EWL, respectively). Patients with postoperative binge eating symptoms had an 11.92% lower EWL. Patients with preoperative depressive symptoms lost equal weight compared to patients without symptoms. CONCLUSION: Despite the high heterogeneity between studies, a trend emerges suggesting that the presence of postoperative binge eating symptoms and lower postoperative compliance may be associated with less weight loss after bariatric-metabolic surgery. Additionally, preoperative depressive symptoms and binge eating do not seem to significantly impact weight loss.

'Surgery is my only hope': A qualitative study exploring perceptions of living with obesity and the prospect of having bariatric surgery.

The health benefits of bariatric surgery are well documented; however, the occurrence of weight-regain after surgery, along with the development of mental health difficulties poses a question of how contemporary psychology could assist to prepare people living with obesity prior to undergoing bariatric surgery. This research explored individuals' (in the immediate pre-operative and post-operative population) attitudes, beliefs and experiences towards obesity and their journey to bariatric surgery. Seventeen adult participants (males n = 4; age range: 26-64 years) were recruited and participated in a semi-structured interview. Twelve individuals participated prior to undergoing bariatric surgery. Five individuals participated in the early post-operative period (<3 months post-surgery). People living with obesity displayed high optimism for positive outcomes, with participants hoping that bariatric surgery would be different to previous attempts at weight regulation, with there being a clear shift in the locus of control for weight management from self to healthcare professionals. Whilst this is adaptive, there was the presence of seemingly unrealistic optimism, with many pre-surgery participants not relaying the realistic possibility of post-surgery weight-regain. Despite the optimism individuals feel about bariatric surgery, participants felt that the psychological factors influencing eating behaviours are not being addressed by healthcare. These findings suggest that mindfulness, mindful eating, and self-compassion approaches should be incorporated into clinical practice to support weight regulation and adaption to physiological changes after bariatric surgery.

Early childhood appetitive traits and eating disorder symptoms in adolescence: a 10-year longitudinal follow-up study in the Netherlands and the UK.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and eating disorders commonly co-occur and might share common risk factors. Appetite avidity is an established neurobehavioural risk factor for obesity from early life, but the role of appetite in eating disorder susceptibility is unclear. We aimed to examine longitudinal associations between appetitive traits in early childhood and eating disorder symptoms in adolescence. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, we used data from Generation R (based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Gemini (based in England and Wales). Appetitive traits at age 4-5 years were measured using the parent-reported Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. At age 12-14 years, adolescents self-reported on overeating eating disorder symptoms (binge eating symptoms, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating) and restrictive eating disorder symptoms (compensatory behaviours and restrained eating). Missing data on covariates were imputed using Multivariate Imputation via Chained Equations. Ordinal and binary logistic regressions were performed in each cohort separately and adjusted for confounders. Pooled results were obtained by meta-analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed on complete cases using inverse probability weighting. FINDINGS: The final study sample included 2801 participants from Generation R and 869 participants from Gemini. Pooled findings after meta-analyses showed that higher food responsiveness in early childhood increased the odds of binge eating symptoms (odds ratio [OR]pooled 1·47, 95% CI 1·26-1·72), uncontrolled eating (1·33, 1·21-1·46), emotional eating (1·26, 1·13-1·41), restrained eating (1·16, 1·06-1·27), and compensatory behaviours (1·18, 1·08-1·30) in adolescence. Greater emotional overeating in early childhood increased the odds of compensatory behaviours (1·18, 1·06-1·33). By contrast, greater satiety responsiveness in early childhood decreased the odds of compensatory behaviours in adolescence (0·89, 0·81-0·99) and uncontrolled eating (0·86, 0·78-0·95) in adolescence. Slower eating in early childhood decreased the odds of compensatory behaviours (0·91, 0·84-0·99) and restrained eating (0·90, 0·83-0·98) in adolescence. No other associations were observed. INTERPRETATION: In this study, higher food responsiveness in early childhood was associated with a higher likelihood of self-reported eating disorder symptoms in adolescence, whereas greater satiety sensitivity and slower eating were associated with a lower likelihood of some eating disorder symptoms. Appetitive traits in children might be early neurobehavioural risk factors for, or markers of, subsequent eating disorder symptoms. FUNDING: MQ Mental Health Research, Rosetrees Trust, ZonMw.

Depressive Symptoms among Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Associations with Stigmatization and Weight and Shape Concern.

Bariatric surgery candidates (BSC) are a highly vulnerable group for mental health impairments. According to the theoretical model of weight stigma, weight-related experienced stigmatization (ES) negatively influences mental health through weight bias internalization (WBI). This study tested this model among BSC and investigated whether this association depends on a negative body image in terms of weight and shape concern as a potential moderator. As part of a German multicenter study, ES, WBI, weight and shape concern, and depressive symptoms were assessed via self-report questionnaires among n = 854 BSC. Simple and moderated mediation analyses were applied to analyze whether WBI influences the relationship between ES and depressive symptoms, and whether this influence depends on weight and shape concern. WBI significantly mediated the relationship between ES and depressive symptoms by partially reducing the association of ES with depressive symptoms. Weight and shape concern emerged as significant moderators in the overall model and specifically for associations between WBI and depressive symptoms. The results suggest that the association between ES and depressive symptoms among BSC is stronger in those with high WBI. This association is strengthened by weight and shape concern, especially at low and mean levels. Studies evaluating longitudinal associations between weight-related stigmatization and mental health are indicated, as well as intervention studies targeting WBI in order to reduce adverse effects of ES on mental health in BSC.

Bariatric Surgery Improves Cognition Function in the Patients with Obesity: A Meta-Analysis.

Obesity and related comorbidities have negative impacts on cognitive function. Weight loss seems to be associated with the improvement of cognitive function and the recovery of brain structure, but the underlying mechanism is not clear. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the status of cognitive function including memory, executive function, attention and language ability in patients with obesity, and to further investigate whether bariatric surgery can improve overall cognitive function in these patients. A total of 11 literatures with 728 subjects were included after retrieval and exclusion. The meta-analysis showed significant improvements in memory, attention and executive function scores after undergoing bariatric surgery in the patients with obesity. However, there was no significant improvement in language ability.

The explanation of educational disparities in adiposity by lifestyle, socioeconomic and mental health mediators: a multiple mediation model.

BACKGROUND: The inverse association between education and obesity was previously found in numerous studies. This study aims to assess several possible mediators in the educational disparities in adiposity. We hypothesize the potential mediating role of lifestyle, socioeconomic, and mental health factors in the association between education and adiposity. METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based sample from Czechia included 2,154 25-64 years old subjects (54.6% women). Education was classified as high, middle, and low. Adiposity was assessed as a latent variable based on body fat percentage, BMI, waist circumference, and visceral fat. The mediation potential of unhealthy dietary behavior, alcohol intake, smoking, sedentary behaviors, income, stress, depression, and quality of life was assessed in age-adjusted sex-specific multiple mediation models. RESULTS: The negative direct effect of education on adiposity was statistically significant at 5% level of significance in both sexes. For men, the indirect effect was statistically significant via sedentary behavior (ß = 0.041; 95% CI [0.025-0.062]) with a mediation ratio of 23.7%. In women, the indirect effect was statistically significant via dietary risk (ß = -0.023, 95% CI [-0.037, -0.013]), alcohol intake (ß = -0.006; 95% CI [-0.014, -0.001]), sedentary behavior (ß = 0.012, 95% CI [0.004,0.023]), income (ß = -0.022; 95% CI [-0.041, -0.004]), and mental health (ß = -0.007; 95% CI [-0.019, -0.001]). The total mediation ratio in women was 30.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary behaviors had mediating role in the association between education and adiposity in both sexes, with more important role in men. In addition, unhealthy diet and lower income partially mediated the educational gradient in adiposity in women.

Adaptation and validation of the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL) in a Chilean sample.

Self-efficacy is a cognitive-emotional factor that is consistently associated with behavioral change and, in particular, with changes in health behavior. Eating self-efficacy, understood as adopting and maintaining behaviors such as controlling one's weight and trusting in one's ability to control one's eating behavior, has been proposed for managing obesity. This study aimed to validate the Chilean version of the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL) in a sample of adults from the general population. Four hundred sixty-nine individuals (69.08% women, mean age = 38.02; SD = 10.31) participated in the study. An instrumental design was used geared toward developing tests and psychometric instruments, including adapting existing ones. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. The instrument version validated in Spain was applied in the study. The analysis obtained an instrument of 11 items with adequate psychometric properties allowing its use in clinical and research settings. It can help assess eating self-efficacy in the general population.

Breast Cancer and Obesity: a Qualitative Analysis of a Diverse Population of Breast Cancer Patients' Perspectives on Weight Management.

PURPOSE: Obesity and weight gain in breast cancer survivors leads to a greater risk of recurrence and a decreased chance of survival. A paucity of data exists regarding strengths, weaknesses, and barriers for implementing culturally sensitive, patient-centered interventions for weight management among minority communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate breast cancer patients' experience and perspectives regarding weight management in a racially diverse population. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with breast cancer patients with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 regarding their experience with weight management. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Participants (n = 17) most commonly self-identified as non-Hispanic Black (70.6%). Nearly all participants felt comfortable being approached about weight management, yet less than half (41.2%) reported that they knew about the link between breast cancer and body weight prior to the interview. Four themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge regarding the link between body weight and breast cancer risk, (2) barriers to weight management including family stressors, high cost, mental health issues, and chronic medical conditions, (3) previous attempts at weight loss including bariatric surgery, and (4) best practices for approaching weight management including discussion of weight management prior to survivorship. CONCLUSION: There is a need for a multidisciplinary, patient-centered weight management program for minority breast cancer patients that improves awareness of the link between weight and breast cancer risk. Weight management should be introduced early on as an element of the treatment plan for breast cancer.

Peripheral inflammation associated with depression and reduced weight loss: a longitudinal study of bariatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Research implicates inflammation in the vicious cycle between depression and obesity, yet few longitudinal studies exist. The rapid weight loss induced by bariatric surgery is known to improve depressive symptoms dramatically, but preoperative depression diagnosis may also increase the risk for poor weight loss. Therefore, we investigated longitudinal associations between depression and inflammatory markers and their effect on weight loss and clinical outcomes in bariatric patients. METHODS: This longitudinal observational study of 85 patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery included 41 cases with depression and 44 controls. Before and 6 months after surgery, we assessed depression by clinical interview and measured serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. RESULTS: Before surgery, depression diagnosis was associated with significantly higher serum hsCRP, IL-6, and IL-6/10 ratio levels after controlling for confounders. Six months after surgery, patients with pre-existing depression still had significantly higher inflammation despite demonstrating similar weight loss to controls. Hierarchical regression showed higher baseline hsCRP levels predicted poorer weight loss (ß = -0.28, p = 0.01) but had no effect on depression severity at follow-up (ß = -0.02, p = 0.9). Instead, more severe baseline depressive symptoms and childhood emotional abuse predicted greater depression severity after surgery (ß = 0.81, p < 0.001; and ß = 0.31, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Depression was significantly associated with higher inflammation beyond the effect of obesity and other confounders. Higher inflammation at baseline predicted poorer weight loss 6 months after surgery, regardless of depression diagnosis. Increased inflammation, rather than depression, may drive poor weight loss outcomes among bariatric patients.

State-level working memory and dysregulated eating in children and adolescents: An exploratory ecological momentary assessment study.

BACKGROUND: Children with loss of control (LOC) eating and overweight/obesity have relative deficiencies in trait-level working memory (WM), which may limit adaptive responding to intra- and extra-personal cues related to eating. Understanding of how WM performance relates to eating behavior in real-time is currently limited. METHODS: We studied 32 youth (ages 10-17 years) with LOC eating and overweight/obesity (LOC-OW; n = 9), overweight/obesity only (OW; n = 16), and non-overweight status (NW; n = 7). Youth completed spatial and numerical WM tasks requiring varying degrees of cognitive effort and reported on their eating behavior daily for 14 days via smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment. Linear mixed effects models estimated group-level differences in WM performance, as well as associations between contemporaneously completed measures of WM and dysregulated eating. RESULTS: LOC-OW were less accurate on numerical WM tasks compared to OW and NW (ps < .01); groups did not differ on spatial task accuracy (p = .41). Adjusting for between-subject effects (reflecting differences between individuals in their mean WM performance and its association with eating behavior), within-subject effects (reflecting variations in moment-to-moment associations) revealed that more accurate responding on the less demanding numerical WM task, compared to one's own average, was associated with greater overeating severity across the full sample (p = .013). There were no associations between WM performance and LOC eating severity (ps > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Youth with LOC eating and overweight/obesity demonstrated difficulties mentally retaining and manipulating numerical information in daily life, replicating prior laboratory-based research. Overeating may be related to improved WM, regardless of LOC status, but temporality and causality should be further explored. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Our findings suggest that youth with loss of control eating and overweight/obesity may experience difficulties mentally retaining and manipulating numerical information in daily life relative to their peers with overweight/obesity and normal-weight status, which may contribute to the maintenance of dysregulated eating and/or elevated body weight. However, it is unclear whether these individual differences are related to eating behavior on a moment-to-moment basis.

Sex-specific impulsivity, but not other facets of executive function, predicts fat and sugar intake two-years later amongst adolescents with a healthy weight: Findings from the ABCD study.

During adolescence, processes that control food intake (executive functions [EF]) undergo extensive refinement; underlying differences in EF may explain the inability to resist overeating unhealthy foods. Yet, overeating fat and sugar also causes changes to EF and cognition but disentangling these relationships has been difficult, as previous studies included youth with obesity. Here, amongst youth initially of a healthy weight, we evaluate whether 1) sex-specific underlying variation in EF/cognition at 9/10-years-old predict fat/sugar two-years later (Y2) and 2) if these relationships are moderated by body mass index (BMI), using linear mixed effects models (controlled for puberty, caregiver education; random effect: study site). Data were leveraged from Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (n = 2987; 50.4% male; 15.4% Latino/a/x; 100% healthy weight at baseline; 12.4% overweight/obese by Y2, data release 4.0). EF and cognition (e.g., inhibition, cognition, motor, memory, impulsivity) were assessed with the NIH toolbox, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task, Little Man Task, the BIS/BAS, and UPPS-P. A saturated fat/added sugar (kcals) composite score was extracted from the validated Kids Food Block Screener. For males, greater baseline impulsivity (e.g., Positive Urgency, Lack of Planning and Perseverance) and reward (e.g., Fun seeking, Drive) was related to greater Y2 intake. For both sexes, greater baseline Negative Urgency and higher BMI was related to greater Y2 intake. No other relationships were observed. Our findings highlight a phenotype that may be more at risk for weight gain due to overconsumption of fat/sugar. Thus, prevention efforts may wish to focus on impulsive tendencies for these foods.

"Mindset Matters": Perseverance, a balanced approach and structured support as facilitators of whole foods plant-based adoption.

Whole foods plant-based diets (WFPBD) show potential for preventing and addressing chronic diseases. However, concerns exist about their acceptability and feasibility. Research on firsthand WFPBD adoption experiences is limited but crucial for promoting dietary change. In a 12-week remotely delivered lifestyle modification program using an ad libitum WFPBD, twenty weight-loss seeking adults (ages 18-75) with overweight or obesity completed self-report surveys and semi-structured interviews via Zoom. The study aimed to explore: (1) experiences with WFPBD adoption; (2) factors that helped or hindered adherence; and (3) perceived salient benefits. Interviews were analyzed inductively through a conventional content analysis, and associations between variables examined with correlational analyses. Participants overall reported WFPBD adoption being a positive, new experience, with an equal number (30%) finding it easy/easier than expected as challenging. Key cited challenges included overwhelm, different eating habits in the household, and meal preparation. Key cited facilitators included adopting an incremental approach to dietary change, persisting after setbacks, and having simple go-to meals. Greater self-compassion and family support, and less sabotage from friends and family corresponded to greater dietary change (rs > 0.45, ps < .05). Participants valued accountability, structure, human support, nutrition psychoeducation and recipes in the program. Three categories emerged regarding perceived benefits of following the WFPBD: physical health benefits, improvements to eating habits, and greater perceived control/agency over health. Results indicate that future interventions should include psychological strategies alongside nutrition education to enhance self-efficacy, address household barriers, and combat feelings of overwhelm through sufficient structure, support, and meal preparation guidance. Messaging around WFPBD may benefit from discussing prevailing positive experiences with adoption, common benefits experienced, and options for an incremental approach given that feasibility and acceptability concerns may deter efforts.