TITLE:
Weight Dissatisfaction Mediates the Link between Body Mass Index and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Hispanic Adolescents: A Mediation and Moderated Mediation Analysis
AUTHORS:
Tabbetha D. Lopez, Aliye B. Cepni, Margit Wiesner, Craig A. Johnston, Kevin Haubrick, Tracey A. Ledoux
KEYWORDS:
Eating Disorder, Modified Kids Eating Disorder Survey, Prevention, Body Dissatisfaction, Weight
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.16 No.8,
August
12,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Disordered eating behaviors and weight dissatisfaction are increasingly prevalent among Hispanic adolescents. However, limited research has explored how these factors interact, particularly in relation to body weight and gender. This study examined whether Negative Weight Attitudes mediates the relationship between standardized body mass index (zBMI) and Extreme Weight Control Behaviors in Hispanic adolescents, and whether gender moderates this model. Methods: Cross-sectional base-line data were collected from Hispanic 6th and 7th graders (N = 690; 53% female; mean age = 12). Disordered behaviors and bodyweight attitudes were assessed using the Modified Kids Eating Disorder Survey (M-KEDS). Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro in SPSS. A mediation analysis was conducted to examine the direct and indirect effects of zBMI on Extreme Weight Control Behaviors through Negative Weight Attitudes. A moderated mediation with gender as the moderator was also tested. Results: The mediation analysis revealed a regression model in which both zBMI and Negative Weight Attitudes predicted Extreme Weight Control Behaviors (R2 = 0.33, F (2, 687) = 170.20, p Conclusions: Negative Weight Attitudes significantly account for the link between zBMI and Extreme Weight Control Behaviors among Hispanic adolescents. These findings highlight the importance of addressing body image in obesity and eating disorder prevention efforts in this population.