ArticleBrain and behavior2026
The Mediating Role of Appetitive Traits in the Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Body Mass Index of Malaysian Adults.
Article in Brain and behavior, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
objectiveThis study investigates the mediating role of appetitive traits in the relationship between psychological distress and Body Mass Index (BMI) of Malaysian adults. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study involving adults aged 18 to 64 years was conducted, whereby respondents were recruited through convenience sampling in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Respondents were required to report their socio-demographics, including sex, age, ethnicity, marital status, highest educational attainment, and monthly income in Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Psychological distress was evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), while the appetitive traits were assessed using the 35-item Adults Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ). Height (cm) was measured using the portable SECA 213 stadiometer, while body weight (kg) was quantified using the HN-289 Omron digital body weight scale. All measurements were recorded to the nearest 0.1 unit, and BMI was calculated using the measured body height and weight.
resultsThree independent path analyses were conducted to examine the mediating role of appetitive traits in the relationship between psychological distress and BMI. This study revealed that the positive correlation between psychological distress and BMI was partially mediated by emotional overeating. Moreover, psychological distress was also found to be positively and independently correlated with BMI.
conclusionTo prevent individuals with psychological distress from engaging in emotional overeating and subsequently increasing BMI, interventions should focus on providing effective strategies. This may include promoting physical activity and offering emotional regulation workshops to manage negative emotions. Nutrition education and counseling can also be beneficial for individuals who experience emotional eating in developing healthier dietary practices.
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