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Culture / Ethnicity / Race

The Relationship Between Weight-Related Abuse and Disordered Eating Varies by Racial Identity

(PS7-C60) The Relationship Between Weight-related Abuse and Disordered Eating Varies by Racial Identity

Saturday, November 19, 2022

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST

Location: Westside Ballroom, 5th Floor

Author(s)

TB

Tatyana Bidopia, B.S.

Clinical Psychology PhD Student
Fordham University
New York, New York

Co-Author(s)

YK

Yvette Karvay, M.A.

Clinical Psychology PhD Student
Fordham University
Bronx, New York
BB

Besiana Bislimi, None

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Fordham University
Bronx, New York
AP

Aastha Patel, None

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Fordham University
Bronx, New York
JJ

Johanna M. Jarcho, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NB

Natasha L. Burke, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Fordham University
Bronx, New York

Individuals who experience weight-related abuse (WRA) are more likely to endorse disordered eating. However, research examining how race may affect this relationship is limited, despite unique life experiences of individuals with marginalized racial identities that may contribute to differential vulnerability to WRA and disordered eating (e.g., racism). This is especially concerning given heightened levels of discrimination towards Asian and Black individuals during COVID-19. This study examined race as a moderator in the relationship between verbal WRA (vWRA), physical WRA (pWRA), and disordered eating. 1309 undergraduates (18-30y; Female = 80%; White = 63%, Black = 18%, Asian = 18%) completed measures of WRA (WRA Questionnaire) and disordered eating (Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire; EDE-Q) from January 2020-February 2022. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine whether race significantly moderated the relationship between vWRA or pWRA and disordered eating behaviors and attitudes (EDE-Q global score, restraint, shape concerns, weight concerns, and eating concerns). Heightened vWRA predicted increased dietary restraint (β1 = .66, p = 0.006) and eating concerns (β1 = .16, p = 0.074) for Asian individuals, compared to White individuals. vWRA and race accounted for 6.25% of the variance in EDE-Q dietary restraint scores and 10.72% of the variance in EDE-Q eating concerns scores. Additionally, heightened pWRA predicted increased global disordered eating behaviors (β1 = .40, p = .030), shape (β1 = .56, p = .048), eating (β1 = .66, p = .006), and weight concerns (β1 = .48 p = .09) for Black individuals and heightened restraint for both Black (β1 = .62, p = .016) and Asian (β1 = .62, p = .033) individuals, compared to White individuals. pWRA and race accounted for 4.94% of the variance in EDE-Q global disordered eating behaviors scores, 3.32% of the variance in EDE-Q shape concerns scores, 5.64% of the variance in EDE-Q eating concerns scores, 3.06% of the variance in EDE-Q weight concerns scores, and 7.13% of the variance in EDE-Q restraint scores. Findings suggest differential associations between WRA and disordered eating behaviors and attitudes for Asian and Black individuals compared to White individuals. Future research should focus on the potential differences between the roles of vWRA and pWRA in perpetuating greater endorsement of disordered eating in marginalized groups, given that pWRA was associated with higher levels of disordered eating behaviors and attitudes than vWRA in this sample. Additionally, the mechanisms by which WRA affects eating behaviors in marginalized racial groups should be explored (i.e., examining the role of food availability and racism in this relationship).