Obesity and the relationship with positive and negative affect

Abstract

Objective: To examine the cross-sectional association between overweight and obesity and positive and negative affect. Method: Participants included 273 women, aged 29-84 years, who were enrolled in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS). Weight and height were measured and overweight and obesity determined from body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) according to WHO criteria. Medical history and lifestyle exposures were assessed by questionnaire. Positive and negative affect scores were derived using the validated 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and categorised into tertiles. Results: A pattern of greater negative affect scores was observed for increasing levels of BMI. Setting no..