Biographic and Psychobehavioral Influences on Body Mass Index in a Nursing Sample

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct influences of age, ethnicity, education, and number of children and the indirect influences of codependency and binge eating on increased body mass index (BMI). In this secondary analysis, data were collected from a convenience sample of 511 nurses who completed a codependency instrument and a personal inventory profile assessing the predictors included in the current path analysis study. The five predictors retained in the final BMI model demonstrated that binge eating, age, and Black ethnicity were positively correlated with BMI and that Asian ethnicity was negatively correlated with BMI. The relationship between binge eating and BMI was augmented by codependency but reduced by Black ethnicity. It was concluded that the path analysis supported hypotheses that Black nurses were overweight for reasons other than binge eating and that participants who scored high on the codependency instrument were more likely to binge eat.

Lifestyle behaviours and weight among hospital-based nurses

“…2006). Certainly, other factors besides those in the work environment impact lifestyle behaviours, including community factors, the home environment, and social support and interaction (Newey & Hood 2004, Allison 2005), and these are not addressed in this analysis.…”

Health behaviours and attitudes towards being role models

“…showing that most practicing nurses are overweight (Allison, 2005;Miller et al, 2008), and that there is also a tendency towards low levels of physical activity and poor dietary habits in this population Esposito and Fitzpatrick, 2011). While overweight and obesity rates were lower in this sample than those observed in the general population (DH, 2009;The NHS Information Centre, 2008a), and in other nursing groups Blake et al, 2011;Esposito and Fitzpatrick, 2011), the known negative consequences of overweight and obesity for long-term health mean that both healthy dietary practices and physical activity should be actively promoted in this population to avoid negative consequences throughout life.…”

The Development and Testing of the Codependency-Overeating Model in Undergraduate Social Science Students in a Mississippi College

“…Meyer (1997) examined anorexia and bulimia, whereas Meyer and Russell (1998) examined eating disorders, particularly bulimia. Allison (2005) assessed the influence of codependency and binge eating on body mass index (BMI). There is a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between overeating, codependency, and many potential confounding variables.…”