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The relationship between weight, eating behaviours and mental health over time in the YOUTH longitudinal cohort study
This longitudinal study investigates the intricate relationships between weight, eating behaviours, and mental health among socio-demographically diverse young adults aged 18–35 years in the UK and Australia. Utilizing data from the YOUTH cohort study, which involved online surveys conducted over three timepoints (baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) from 2021 to 2023, the research analyzed responses from 507, 371, and 336 participants respectively.
Employing random-intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM), the study examined the connections between various eating behaviors—including addictive, disordered, and emotional eating—and mental health indicators such as stress, depression, anxiety, and quality of life, in relation to weight measured in kilograms.
Significant findings indicated that baseline weight correlated with several measures at the 6-month mark, including the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ) global score, the Positive-Negative Emotional Eating Scale (PNEES) positive score, and EDEQ shape concern scores at both 6 months and 12 months. Furthermore, significant relationships were observed between EDEQ shape concern at baseline and weight at 12 months, as well as between weight at baseline and quality of life at 12 months.
Overall, the study identified longitudinal patterns indicating that higher weight is associated with increased disordered eating, reduced emotional eating in response to positive stimuli, and diminished quality of life in this cohort of young adults. The findings underscore the necessity for further longitudinal research on these interrelationships and advocate for the integration of disordered eating and mental health screenings in weight management services for young adults. [NPID: young adult, eating behavior, weight, mental health, disordered eating]
Year: 2026
