Mediating role of weight concerns in the relationship between seasonality and eating behavior among community-dwelling older adults: A path analysis

Background: Weight concerns are common among older adults, and it is unclear how they may impact the relationship between seasonality and eating behaviors, which can contribute to various health-related issues.

Aim: This study investigated the mediating role of weight concerns in the relationship between seasonality and eating behavior among community-dwelling older adults.

Method: A descriptive correlational analytical design was used on 200 randomly chosen participants who completed the Personal Inventory for Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder Self-Assessment Version, the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and the Weight Concern Subscale. A path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model.

Results: The study findings indicated that most older adults reported moderate-to-severe seasonal variations, moderate enjoyment of food, emotional overeating, emotional undereating, and food fussiness. Weight concern partially mediated the relationship between seasonality and eating behavior.

Conclusion: By understanding the complex interplay between these factors, weight concerns may play an essential role in mediating the effects of seasonal changes on eating behavior, while seasonal winter symptoms may directly impact eating behavior. These results have potential implications for nurses' efforts to develop interventions to promote healthy eating behaviors and manage weight concerns during seasonal variations, especially in the winter.