Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Baseline motives for eating palatable food: racial differences and preliminary utility in predicting weight loss

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Behavioral predictors of weight-loss program (WLP) outcomes are needed and important because they can be modified. Eating calorie-dense palatable foods (PFs) outside of hunger contributes to obesity. This study assessed if habitual motives to consume PFs could predict weight-loss outcomes.

Methods

N = 171 Black and N = 141 White adults in a reduced-calorie program completed the Palatable Eating Motives Scale (PEMS). Body weight and body mass index (BMI) lost after 3 and 6 months were analyzed controlling for initial BMI and demographics. Greater PEMS motive scores meant more frequent habitual intake of PFs for that motive.

Results

Whites vs. Blacks had higher scores on most of the PEMS motives: Social, Coping, and Reward Enhancement. In Whites at 3 months, greater Reward Enhancement scores and initial BMI predicted more BMI loss (p < 0.05). At 6 months, greater Reward Enhancement and lower Conformity scores predicted more weight (p < 0.05) and BMI loss (Conformity: p < 0.05; Reward Enhancement: p = 0.05). PEMS motives did not predict outcomes for Blacks.

Conclusion

The results provide preliminary evidence for the PEMS to predict WLP outcomes. White patients who eat PFs primarily for their rewarding properties and less to conform should fare better in Lifestyle programs while group or family-based interventions may be more efficacious when conformity is the main motive. Lower motive scores among Blacks suggest that eating PFs outside of hunger may go unrecognized or underreported and warrants further investigation. The findings highlight the motive-based heterogeneity of obesity and how it may be used to predict outcomes and customize interventions to improve WLP outcomes.

Level of evidence

Level IV, multiple time series.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM (2012) Prevalence of obesity in the United States, 2009–2010. Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville

    Google Scholar 

  2. Wadden TA, Webb VL, Moran CH, Bailer BA (2012) Lifestyle modification for obesity. Circulation 125:1157–1170. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.039453

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. The Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group (2004) Achieving weight and activity goals among diabetes prevention program lifestyle participants. Obes Res 12:1426–1434. doi:10.1038/oby.2004.179

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Elfhag K, Rossner S (2005) Who succeeds in maintaining weight loss? A conceptual review of factors associated with weight loss maintenance and weight regain. Obes Rev 6:67–85. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2005.00170.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bouhlal S, McBride CM, Trivedi NS, Agurs-Collins T, Persky S (2017) Identifying eating behavior phenotypes and their correlates: a novel direction toward improving weight management interventions. Appetite 111:142–150. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2016.12.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Moroshko I, Brennan L, O’Brien P (2011) Predictors of dropout in weight loss interventions: a systematic review of the literature. Obes Rev 12:912–934. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00915.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Honas JJ, Early JL, Frederickson DD, O’brien MS (2003) Predictors of attrition in a large clinic-based weight-loss program. Obesity 11:888–894. doi:10.1038/oby.2003.122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. French SA, Epstein LH, Jeffery RW, Blundell JE, Wardle J (2012) Eating behavior dimensions. Associations with energy intake and body weight. A review. Appetite 59:541–549. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2012.07.001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Fabricatore AN, Wadden TA, Moore RH, Butryn ML, Heymsfield SB, Nguyen AM (2009) Predictors of attrition and weight loss success: results from a randomized controlled trial. Behav Res Ther 47:685–691. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.05.004

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. French S, Jeffery R, Forster J, McGovern P, Kelder S, Baxter J (1994) Predictors of weight change over two years among a population of working adults: the Healthy Worker Project. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 18:145–154

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. genomics improve behavioral adherence? Am J Public Health 102:401-405. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300513

  12. Boggiano MM, Burgess EE, Turan B, Soleymani T, Daniel S, Vinson LD, Lokken KL, Wingo BC, Morse A (2014) Motives for eating tasty foods associated with binge-eating: results from a student and a weight-loss seeking population. Appetite 83:160–166. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2014.08.026

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Boggiano MM (2016) Palatable Eating Motives Scale in a college population: distribution of scores and scores associated with greater BMI and binge-eating. Eat Behav 21:95–98. doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.01.001

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Boggiano MM, Wenger LE, Turan B, Tatum MM, Sylvester MD, Morgan PR, Morse KE, Burgess EE (2015) Real-time sampling of reasons for hedonic food consumption: further validation of the Palatable Eating Motives Scale. Front Psychol 6:744. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00744

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Boggiano MM, Wenger LE, Burgess EE, Tatum MM, Sylvester MD, Morgan PR, Morse KE (2015) Eating tasty foods to cope, enhance reward, socialize or conform: what other psychological characteristics describe each of these motives? J Health Psychol 22:280–289. doi:10.1177/1359105315600240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Boggiano MM, Wenger LE, Turan B, Tatum MM, Morgan PR, Sylvester MD (2015) Eating tasty food to cope: longitudinal association with BMI. Appetite 87:365–370. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2015.01.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Davis KK, Tate DF, Lang W, Neiberg RH, Polzien K, Rickman AD, Erickson K, Jakicic JM (2015) Racial differences in weight loss among adults in a behavioral weight loss intervention: role of diet and physical activity. J Phys Act Health 12:1558–1566. doi:10.1123/jpah.2014-0243

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Bowman SA, Gortmaker SL, Ebbeling CB, Pereira MA, Ludwig DS (2004) Effects of fast-food consumption on energy intake and diet quality among children in a national household survey. Pediatrics 113:112–118. doi:10.1542/peds.113.1.112

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Fryer C, Ervin RB (2013) Caloric intake from fast food among adults: United States, 2007–2010. NCHS Data Brief 114:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  20. Airhihenbuwa CO, Kumanyika S, Agurs TD, Lowe A, Saunders D, Morssink CB (1996) Cultural aspects of African American eating patterns. Ethn Health 1:245–260. doi:10.1080/13557858.1996.9961793

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Ard JD, Cox TL, Zunker C, Wingo BC, Jefferson WK, Brakhage C (2010) A study of a culturally enhanced EatRight dietary intervention in a predominately African American workplace. J Public Health Manag Pract 16:E1–E8. doi:10.1097/PHH.0b013e3181ce5538

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Teixeira P, Going SB, Sardinha L, Lohman TG (2005) A review of psychosocial pre-treatment predictors of weight control. Obes Rev 6:43–65. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2005.00166.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Volkmar FR, Stunkard AJ, Woolston J, Bailey RA (1981) High attrition rates in commercial weight reduction programs. Arch Intern Med 141:426–428. doi:10.1001/archinte.1981.00340040022010

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Wing RR, Hill JO (2001) Successful weight loss maintenance. Annu Rev Nutr 21:323–341. doi:10.1146/annurev.nutr.21.1.323

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Wing RR, Lang W, Wadden TA, Safford M, Knowler WC, Bertoni AG, Hill JO, Brancati FL, Peters A, Wagenknecht L (2011) Benefits of modest weight loss in improving cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 34:1481–1486. doi:10.2337/dc10-2415

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Levi J, Segal LM, Rayburn J, Martin A (2015) State of obesity: better policies for a healthier America: 2015. Trust for America’s Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  27. Orihuela CA, Mrug S, Boggiano MM (2017) Reciprocal relationships between emotion regulation and motives for eating palatable foods in African American adolescents. Appetite 117:303–309. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2017.07.008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 415 Campbell Hall, Birmingham, AL, 35294-1170, USA

    Maria D. Sylvester, Emilee E. Burgess, Bulent Turan, Mary Katherine Ray & Mary M. Boggiano

  2. Department of Nutrition Sciences, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Taraneh Soleymani, Sunil Daniel & Courtney T. Howard

Authors
  1. Maria D. Sylvester
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Emilee E. Burgess
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Taraneh Soleymani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sunil Daniel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bulent Turan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mary Katherine Ray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Courtney T. Howard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Mary M. Boggiano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary M. Boggiano.

Ethics declarations

Funding

NIH Grants: T32-HL105349, P30-DK056336.

Conflict of interest

Maria Sylvester declares no conflict of interest. Emilee Burgess declares no conflict of interest. Taraneh Soleymani declares no conflict of interest. Sunil Daniel declares no conflict of interest. Bulent Turan declares no conflict of interest. Mary Katherine Ray declares no conflict of interest. Courtney Howard declares no conflict of interest. Mary Boggiano declares no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Mary M. Boggiano: Published also as M. M. Hagan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sylvester, M.D., Burgess, E.E., Soleymani, T. et al. Baseline motives for eating palatable food: racial differences and preliminary utility in predicting weight loss. Eat Weight Disord 24, 723–729 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-017-0426-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-017-0426-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation