The relationship between weight, eating behaviours and mental health over time in the YOUTH longitudinal cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Longitudinal relationships were identified for higher weight with higher disordered eating, less eating in response to positive emotions and lower quality of life in this young adult cohort. Future research should include more longitudinal analyses of these relationships. Findings also support the need for screening of disordered eating and mental ill-health in young adults within weight management services.
Study context
- Population
- Socio-demographically diverse young adults (18–35 years) from the UK and Australia, YOUTH cohort, 2021–2023371 and 336 at 6 and 12 months
- Participants
- 507 adults
- Outcome
- Relationships between weight and eating behaviours (addictive, disordered, emotional eating) and mental health (stress, depression, anxiety, quality of life)
- Follow-up
- Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Methodological detailsrandom-intercept cross-lagged panel models, online surveys via Prolific, UK and Australia
- Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models
- Online surveys via Prolific
- UK and Australia
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cross-lagged associations of baseline weight with later outcomes
- Baseline weight → Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ) global score at 6 months: β
- 0.028 (95% CI 0.009, 0.048; p = 0.005)
- Baseline weight → Positive-Negative Emotional Eating Scale (PNEES)-positive score at 6 months: β
- −0.217 (95% CI −0.386, −0.053; p = 0.011)
- Baseline weight → EDEQ shape concern at 6 months: β
- 0.040 (95% CI 0.019, 0.060; p < 0.001)
- Baseline weight → EDEQ shape concern at 12 months: β
- 0.034 (SE 0.010; 95% CI 0.014, 0.056; p = 0.001)
- Baseline EDEQ shape concern → weight at 12 months: β (95% CI −0.017, 2.927; p = 0.005), significant on p value only
- 1.845
- Baseline weight → quality of life at 12 months: β (95% CI −0.737, 0.031; p = 0.034), significant on p value only
- −0.393
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
The relationship between weight, eating behaviours and mental health over time in the YOUTH longitudinal cohort study. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 1 April 2026. doi:10.
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