The Homeostatic Theory of Obesity: An Empirical Verification of the Circle of Discontent with an Assessment of Its Relationship to Restrained and Uncontrolled Eating among Children and Adolescents

• Main Authors: Kamila Czepczor-Bernat, Anna Brytek-Matera, Paweł Matusik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: childhood obesity; the homeostatic theory of obesity; the circle of discontent; children; adolescents; body dissatisfaction
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6028

The purpose of the present study was to provide an empirical verification of the Circle of Discontent with an assessment of its relationship to restrained and uncontrolled eating among children and adolescents. This study examined whether our results confirm a new hypothesized model. The total sample comprised 282 children and adolescents (148 girls and 134 boys; 141 participants with normal body weight and 141 with obesity). The mean age was 12.23 years (<i>SD</i> = 2.80), and the average BMI (body mass index) was 23.29 kg/m² (<i>SD</i> = 6.27). The following were used: Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children, Children’s Body Image Scale, Figure Rating Scale, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and Eating Disorders in Youth. The obtained values of the model fit indices proved the goodness of fit. Our findings show that obesity accompanies body dissatisfaction and uncontrolled and restrictive eating. Moreover, the higher the level of restrictive eating, the lower the level of uncontrolled eating. The relationships between body dissatisfaction, negative affect and restrictive eating, as well as that between uncontrolled eating and high-energy consumption, are significant and positive. Other relationships are non-significant. The above-mentioned relationships established in the Circle of Discontent, as well as relationships of restrained and uncontrolled eating with variables described in the circle, were confirmed. Based on our results, preventive strategies and psychological interventions can be created and may include changes in body image, eating behaviors and emotional functioning.