Associations between Stress, Body Mass Index, Demographics and Eating Behaviors in Low-Income Overweight or Obese Women

Purpose: This study investigated the associations between stress, body mass index (BMI) category (overweight versus obesity), pregnancy status (pregnant versus postpartum) and distinct domains of eating behaviors (restrained eating, overeating, or uncontrolled eating) in low-income women. This study also examined whether BMI category or pregnancy status moderated the associations between stress and eating behaviors. Methods: 688 low-income women completed previously validated surveys measuring stress and eating behaviors. Linear regression analysis was performed. Results: Stress was not significantly associated with restrained eating. However, stress was significantly associated with overeating (unstandardized parameter estimate (B=0.10, p<0.0001, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.12) and with uncontrolled eating (B=0.11, p<0.0001; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.14). BMI category and pregnancy status were not associated with any types of eating behaviors and did not affect the associations between stress and restrained eating, overeating or uncontrolled eating. Conclusion: The presence of significant associations between stress and overeating and between stress and uncontrolled eating support the possibility that enhanced ability to manage or cope with stress might have associated influences on ability to manage weight regardless low-income women’s body size or pregnancy status.