Eating Competence and Gender Identity are significantly associated with Weight-and-Body Shame-and-Guilt, Eating Concerns, and Weight Satisfaction in Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if Eating Competence in undergraduates is associated with Weight-and-Body Shame-and-Guilt (WEB-SG), weight satisfaction, and eating concerns, and whether these associations differ by gender identity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of data from a 127-item survey sent out to undergraduates at a public university in the U.S. in 2020. Participants were categorized as either “Eating Competent” (EC) or “Not Eating Competent” (non-EC) according to their responses on the validated Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI 2.0™). Two-factor ANOVAs tested whether Eating Competence and gender identity were associated with total WEB-SG; total Weight-and-Body Shame (WEB-S); total Weight-and-Body Guilt (WEB-G); weight satisfaction; and eating concerns. Demographic characteristics were evaluated in relation to gender identity; body trying categories were compared with gender, BMI, and body weight perception categories. Results: Of the 1996 student participants, 40.2% were EC. Of those who disclosed their gender identity, 72% identified as women, 23% identified as men, and 4% identified as trans or gender non-conforming (TGNC). Eating Competence was significantly associated with lower total WEB-SG, greater weight satisfaction, fewer eating concerns, and with not trying to lose body weight (P<0.001 in all cases). In every outcome variable tested, those who were EC had more favorable mean scores than those who were non-EC. Men’s mean ecSI 2.0™ scores were significantly higher than that of women’s (32.8 vs. 27.6; P < 0.001); in fact, men had more favorable mean scores than women in every outcome variable tested. TGNC participants had the lowest ecSI 2.0™ scores of all three gender identity groups (mean 24.7). They also had total WEB-SG scores, WEB-Shame subscale scores, weight satisfaction scores, and eating concerns scores that were not significantly different from those of women. TGNC participants also had WEB-Guilt subscale scores and Eating Concerns scores that were not significantly different from those of men. Conclusion: These associations demonstrate the underlying emotional components of food, eating behaviors, and body-related perceptions, and suggest that the Eating Competence Model (eSatter) may be helpful in future interventions aimed at improving these characteristics in undergraduates.