Association of dysfunctional eating with metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Latinos

Abstract

Background: Latinos bear high burden of nutrition related cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Dysfunctional eating behaviors (emotional eating, uncontrolled eating and cognitive restraint of eating) may influence metabolic CVD risk factors but little is known about this relationship in Latinos. Objective: To examine associations between dysfunctional eating behaviors and metabolic risk factors for CVD in Latinos. Methods: Latino individuals were recruited from a community health center. Participants completed standardized interviews (i.e., demographics, Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-TFEQ-R18V2, Perceived Stress Scale-10) and anthropometric measurements. Data on diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia were abstracted from medical records. Statistical analysis included multivariable logistic and Poisson regression models. Results: A total of 578 participants (51% female, 67% Dominican), ages 21-84, were included in this analysis. Controlling for age, sex, education and perceived stress high emotional eating (hEE) was associated with greater odds of obesity (OR=2.25 (1.47, 3.24)) and diabetes (OR=1.80 (1.07, 3.01)). High uncontrolled eating (hUE) was associated with obesity (OR=2.16 (1.34, 3.47)) and high cognitive restraint (hCR) was associated with greater odds of obesity (OR=2.55 (1.64, 3.98)), diabetes (OR=2.39 (1.40, 4.04) and hyperlipidemia (OR=1.92 (1.17, 3.14)). Lastly, hEE, hUE and hCR were significantly associated increased odds of having a greater number of the metabolic CVD risk factors (IRR=1.39 (1.20, 1.59), IRR=1.21 (1.04, 1.42), IRR=1.45 (1.24, 1.69); respectively). Conclusion: Interventions that target eating behaviors may facilitate reduction of metabolic CVD risk factors and health disparities in CVD among Latinos.