(PS7-13) Characterizing Approach and Avoidance of Weighing: Associations with Eating Pathology

Saturday, November 16, 2024

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM EST

Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown

Author(s)

DP

Danielle E. Peters, M.A.

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
University at Albany, State University of New York
Cohoes, New York, United States

Co-Author(s)

TP

Taylor R. Perry, M.A.

Doctoral Candidate
University at Albany, State University of New York
Albany, New York, United States
MJ

Madelyn Johnson, B.S.

Clinical Doctoral Student
University at Albany
Albany, New York, United States
MR

Mauricio Rodriguez, None

Undergraduate Student
University at Albany, State University of New York
Watervilet, New York, United States
CO

Chioma M. Ofodile, M.S.

Prevention Navigator
University at Albany, State University of New York
Albany, New York, United States
DA

Drew A. Anderson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
University at Albany, State University of New York
Albany, New York, United States

Abstract Text: Weighing is a critical component of eating disorder (ED) treatment, both as a marker of physical health and as an exposure to feared weight-related information. However, clinicians and patients have mixed views on whether patients should know their weight during treatment. One factor that may play a role in these mixed views is patients’ weighing tendencies outside of treatment. Some patients weigh themselves excessively, while others avoid knowing their weight. Both tendencies are considered maladaptive, but little is known about associations between weighing tendencies and eating pathology. As such, the present study sought to examine associations between approach and avoidance of weighing and intolerance of uncertainty, body checking and avoidance, and ED pathology. Participants were N=656 undergraduates from a Northeastern university. The sample was predominantly female (59.3%) and White (45.3%) with a mean age of 18.7 (SD = 1.54) and a mean BMI of 24.24 (5.26). Participants completed the Approach/Avoidance of Weighing Questionnaire (AAWQ) to assess tendency to approach and avoid weighing, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale – Short Form (IUS-12) to assess prospective and inhibitory anxiety in response to uncertainty, the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ) to assess body checking behaviors, the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) to assess behavioral avoidance of body image, and the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory (EPSI) to assess ED pathology. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to examine whether approach and avoidance of weighing had a unique association with intolerance of uncertainty, body checking and avoidance, and eating pathology after accounting for gender and BMI. Results indicated that both approach and avoidance of weighing were uniquely associated with inhibitory anxiety (b = .14, SE = .07, p = .046; b = .13, SE = .07, p = .040), body checking (b = 2.30, SE = .34, p < .001; b = 1.34, SE = .31, p < .001), body image avoidance (b = 1.52, SE = .26, p < .001; b = .90, SE = .23, p < .001), and purging (b = .22, SE = .06, p < .001; b = .15, SE = .05, p = .002). Approach of weighing was also uniquely associated with prospective anxiety (b = .18, SE = .09, p = .049), body dissatisfaction (b = .24, SE = .11, p = .027), binge eating (b = .43, SE = .11, p < .001), cognitive restraint (b = .20, SE = .05, p < .001), excessive exercise (b = .42, SE = .09, p < .001), and muscle building (b = .23, SE = .07, p < .001). Furthermore, approach of weighing was positively associated with negative attitudes toward obesity (b = .19, SE = .07, p = .011), while avoidance of weighing was negatively associated with negative attitudes toward obesity (b = -.18, SE = .07, p = .008). These findings suggest that both approach and avoidance of weighing are associated with several aspects of eating pathology, but that approach of weighing may have a more widespread effect across many domains. As such, both weighing tendencies should be addressed in ED treatment.