Journal article
Considering alternative calculations of weight suppression
Eating behaviors : an international journal, v 20, pp 57-63
Jan 2016
PMID: 26643591
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Weight suppression (WS)—the difference between an individual's highest adult weight and current weight—relates to eating pathology and weight gain; however, there are several methodological issues associated with its calculation. The current study presents four alternative methods of calculating WS and tests whether these methods differentially relate to maladaptive outcomes. Alternative methods of calculation included: (1) change in BMI units; (2) BMI category change; (3) percent change in weight; and (4) two different uses of regression residuals. A sample of undergraduate students (N=631) completed self-report measures of eating pathology, current and past weight, and teasing. Measures included the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and the Perceptions of Teasing Scale. Results indicated that components of WS, current weight and highest weight, were strongly related in the present sample. The traditional method of calculating WS was related to eating pathology, binge eating and teasing for both males and females. However, WS indices orthogonal to the highest weight did not correlate with eating pathology and teasing in both males and females; for females, WS indices orthogonal to current weight were also unrelated to eating pathology. Findings suggest that the link between WS and eating pathology is mitigated after accounting for an individual's highest weight. Future research should continue to assess the reliability and clinical utility of this construct and consider using alternative WS calculations.
•Weight suppression is the difference between an individual's highest and current weights.•Several methodological issues relate to the current calculation of weight suppression.•Alternative calculations of weight suppression are presented.•Weight suppression's relation to eating pathology may be driven by highest weight.•Future research should consider use of alternative weight suppression calculations.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Considering alternative calculations of weight suppression
- Creators
- Katherine Schaumberg - Drexel UniversityLisa M. Anderson - University at Albany, SUNY, Department of Psychology, 399 Social Sciences, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USAErin E. Reilly - University at Albany, State University of New YorkSasha Gorrell - University at Albany, State University of New YorkDrew A. Anderson - University at Albany, State University of New YorkMitch Earleywine - University at Albany, State University of New York
- Publication Details
- Eating behaviors : an international journal, v 20, pp 57-63
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Office of Research (and Innovation)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000366837700010
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84948441550
- Other Identifier
- 991019174282204721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical