Obesity is more strongly associated with inappropriate eating behaviors than with mental health in older adults receiving congregate meals

This study explored the relationships of inappropriate eating behaviors and mental health with obesity in congregate meal participants in Georgia (N?=?120, mean age?=?75 years, 75% female, 43% African American). Inappropriate eating behaviors were evaluated with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (18 questions); mental health was assessed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (21 questions); history of depression was assessed with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey; and height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI) and obesity (52%?≥?30?kg/m(2)). In bivariate analyses, obesity was associated with cognitive restraint (rho?=?0.49, p?相似文献   

Variations in the preproghrelin gene correlate with higher body mass index, fat mass, and body dissatisfaction in young Japanese women

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin is an endogenous peptide that stimulates growth hormone secretion, enhances appetite, and increases body weight and may play a role in eating disorders. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to determine whether any preproghrelin gene variants are associated with anthropometric measures, circulating ghrelin, lipid concentrations, insulin resistance, or psychological measures relevant to eating disorders in young women. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study compared outcome measures between preproghrelin genotypes. The participants in the study included 264 Japanese women [university students with a mean (+/-SD) age of 20.4 +/- 0.7] with no history of eating disorders. The main outcomes were responses to the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), anthropometric measures, measures of depression and anxiety, and fasting blood concentrations of acylated or desacyl ghrelin, lipids, glucose, and insulin. RESULTS: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose minor allele frequencies were >0.05--the Leu72Met (408 C-->A) SNP in exon 2 and the 3056 T-->C SNP in intron 2--were used for association analysis. The 3056C allele was significantly associated with a higher acylated ghrelin concentration (P=0.0021), body weight (P=0.011), body mass index (P=0.007), fat mass (P=0.012), waist circumference (P=0.008), and skinfold thickness (P=0.011) and a lower HDL-cholesterol concentration (P=0.02). Interestingly, the 3056C allele was related to elevated scores in the Drive for Thinness-Body Dissatisfaction (DT-BD) subscale of the EDI-2 (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the preproghrelin gene 3056T-->C SNP is associated with changes in basal ghrelin concentrations and physical and psychological variables related to eating disorders and obesity.     

合肥市幼师女生进食障碍状况及其与睡眠关系

目的探讨14～21岁幼师女生进食障碍现况及其相关因素,为实施幼师女生进食障碍的早期筛检和有针对性的干预提供科学依据。方法于2010年10月采用随机整群抽样方法抽取安徽省合肥市幼儿师范学院2 371名女生,运用进食障碍问卷、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表、焦虑自评量表、抑郁自评量表、自编一般情况问卷进行调查。结果合肥市幼师女生进食障碍估计患病率为7.09%(168/2 371);各年龄组中1,8岁组估计患病率最高,为10.6%(41/388);各年级中,五年级估计患病率最高,为10.5%(43/411);过瘦、偏瘦、正常体重、和超重女生的进食障碍得分分别为(26.49±18.83)(、27.62±17.67)(、34.40±19.96)(、32.33±22.19)分,差异有统计学意义(F=26.79,P<0.01);不同父母关系、不同经济状况、不同媒体关注度、不同亲属及朋友节食情况的女生在进食障碍得分方面差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);多元线性逐步回归结果表明,焦虑、对减肥相关媒体的关注度、抑郁、体质指数、睡眠、年龄、朋友是否节食是进食障碍的相关危险因素。结论进食障碍在幼师女生中估计患病率较高,正确的健康教育,合理膳食,规律睡眠是降低进食障碍发生的关键。     

Psychological aspects of bariatric surgery.

Severe obesity is a serious chronic condition associated with a variety of life-threatening medical illnesses. It also has a major impact on mental health and quality of life. A higher than normal prevalence of psychopathology is seen in this population, and there seems to be a direct relationship between body mass index and the degree of psychosocial impairment. This impact on the overall quality of life may have more serious implications on public health than even the clear medical risks of obesity. Among the various psychological disorders seen in the obese treatment-seeking population, there is a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, distorted body image, and eating disorders. This paper reviews the complex psychological issues related to bariatric surgery, offers recommendations regarding presurgical behavioral assessment, and reviews emerging data on the psychological impact of this important new treatment.     

Eating behavior related to obesity and job stress in male Japanese workers

OBJECTIVE: We examined a possible relation among obesity, eating behavior, and job stress in male Japanese workers. METHODS: A questionnaire survey on lifestyle, eating behavior, and job stress was conducted with 595 male daytime workers (19-60 y of age, mean +/- SD 41.8 +/- 12.6 y of age) in a synthetic-fiber manufacturing plant. The 431 non-obese men (body mass index <25.0 k/m(2), mean age 41.7 +/- 12.9 y) and 164 obese men (body mass index > or = 25.0 k/m(2), mean age 42.0 +/- 11.9 y) were examined in relation to obesity, eating behavior, and job stress. Body mass index was calculated from height and weight measured in an annual health check. RESULTS: Obesity was associated with eating behaviors such as eating to satiety, eating fast, and substitution eating from irritability. These eating behaviors were related to high job demands of quantitative workload. The eating behaviors were also correlated with psychological stress responses of fatigue, tension/anxiety, and depression, which were associated with quantitative workload. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that high job demands of quantitative workload may be a factor related to eating behavior to eat a lot among male Japanese workers. Increased workplace stress from job strain may affect the workers through eating behaviors to eat a lot that contribute to obesity.     

Is family‐based behavioral weight control appropriate for severe pediatric obesity?

OBJECTIVE: Although the efficacy of family-based behavioral treatment for moderate pediatric obesity has been well established, few studies have focused on the treatment of severe obesity. We sought to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a family-based intervention for severely obese children. METHOD: Twenty-four families with children aged 8-12 years who were > or =160% of their ideal body weight participated in a 10-12-session behavioral intervention. Participants were weighed and their heights measured at the start of each treatment session and during a follow-up visit 4-13 (M = 7.8) months posttreatment. Children also completed measures of depressive symptoms and anxiety at pretreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up, and eating attitudes were assessed at pretreatment and follow-up. RESULTS: One third of the families did not complete treatment. However, children who completed the program lost a significant amount of weight and reported significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and eating attitudes that were maintained over time. DISCUSSION: A short-term, family-based behavioral intervention was successful in moderating weight gain for most children and had positive effects on children's mood and eating disorder symptoms. Future randomized, controlled trials of longer interventions are necessary to determine the success of this approach.     

Stress and hunger alter the anorectic efficacy of fluoxetine in binge-eating rats with a history of caloric restriction

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of fluoxetine to suppress binge eating in rats with a history of caloric restriction (CR) and the extent to which this effect was altered by stress and hunger. METHOD: To detect heightened sensitivity to fluoxetine, young female rats were used to determine a subthreshold anorectic dose (2 mg/kg, intraperitonally). Another group of rats was either fed ad libitum or given multiple CR (to 90% body weight) and refeeding-to-satiety cycles. One half of the rats were then either spared or subjected to foot shock stress before fluoxetine treatment. RESULTS: A history of CR alone produced bingelike eating on palatable food (p < .001) and, although stress did not affect intake, it rendered CR rats hypersensitive to the satiety effect of fluoxetine. The feeding-suppression was mainly for chow (p < .05) and the effect was abolished if the rats were in negative energy balance. DISCUSSION: Results support the utility of this animal model to elucidate serotonergic changes linking dieting to binge eating. The diverse effects of fluoxetine on the type of food, and in hungry versus sated rats, suggest alternate brain mechanisms should be concomitantly targeted for improved treatment of binge eating disorders.     

米氮平与氟西汀治疗抑郁焦虑障碍共病的对照研究

目的比较米氮平与氟西汀治疗抑郁焦虑障碍共病的临床疗效及安全性。方法对同时符合美国精神疾病和统计手册第四版(DSM-IV)抑郁障碍和焦虑障碍诊断标准的46例患者,随机分别给予米氮平与氟西汀治疗,观察6周。应用汉密顿抑郁量表(HAMD)和副反应量表(TESS)评估和比较疗效及安全性。结果米氮平组第4周和第6周的HAMD总分及减分率与氟西汀组差异无显著性(p>0.05),米氮平组的疗效与氟西汀组相仿(p>0.05)。但米氮平组在改善睡眠和躯体症状方面优于氟西汀组且显效较快(P<0.05)。米氮平组不良反应较少,但两组差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论米氮平治疗抑郁焦虑障碍共病的疗效和不良反应与氟西汀相当,在改善睡眠和躯体症状方面较优且起效较早。     

Eating Behaviors,Mental Health,and Food Intake Are Associated With Obesity in Older Congregate Meal Participants

The relationship between eating behaviors, food intake, and mental health and the occurrence of obesity in older adults has rarely been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish the associative links of these factors with two measures of obesity: class I obesity as indicated by body mass index (OB-BMI; BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and class I obesity as indicated by waist circumference (OB-WC; WC ≥43 inches for men and ≥42 inches for women). Older adults participating in the Older American's Act congregate meal program (N = 113, mean age = 74 years, 74% female, 45% African American) were assessed. Eating behaviors (cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating), food group choices (sweets, salty snacks, and fruits), and mental health indices (depression, anxiety, and stress) were recorded by questionnaire and related to measured occurrence of OB-BMI and OB-WC. In a series of multivariate logistical regression models, we found cognitive restraint to be consistently and robustly associated with both measures of obesity. In the fully adjusted model, cognitive restraint, consumption of sweets, anxiety, and lack of depression were associated with OB-WC. In summary, we found an association of obesity with abnormal eating behaviors, certain food group intakes, and mental health symptoms in this population. These findings may guide the development of future weight management interventions in a congregate meal setting.     

Duloxetine in the treatment of binge eating disorder with depressive disorders: a placebo-controlled trial

Objective:

This study evaluated duloxetine in the treatment of binge eating disorder (BED) with comorbid current depressive disorders.

Method:

In this 12‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 40 patients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐IV‐TR BED and a comorbid current depressive disorder received duloxetine (N = 20) or placebo (N = 20). The primary outcome measure was weekly binge eating day frequency.

Results:

In the primary analysis, duloxetine (mean 78.7 mg/day) was superior to placebo in reducing weekly frequency of binge eating days (p = .04), binge eating episodes (p = .02), weight (p = .04), and Clinical Global Impression‐Severity of Illness ratings for binge eating (p = .02) and depressive disorders (p = .01). Changes in body mass index and measures of eating pathology, depression, and anxiety did not differ between the two groups.

Discussion:

Duloxetine may be effective for reducing binge eating, weight, and global severity of illness in BED with a comorbid current depressive disorder, but this finding needs confirmation in larger, placebo‐controlled trials. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)     

Social anxiety as a barrier to treatment for eating disorders

BACKGROUND: The goal of this pilot investigation is to determine the relationship between social anxiety and treatment-seeking behavior for eating disorders in an outpatient psychiatric clinic. METHOD: Twenty-eight patients seeking treatment for anorexia or bulimia at an outpatient eating disorders clinic completed a battery of self-report measures on eating pathology, attachment style and functioning, and social anxiety at initial intake appointment. Levels of eating pathology and social anxiety at consult were compared with service utilization records on entry into treatment. RESULTS: Individuals who did not engage in treatment had significantly higher levels of social anxiety (F = 8.29, df = 1, p < .05) compared with those who did engage in treatment. There were no differences in demographic characteristics, diagnoses, or level of eating pathology at intake. CONCLUSIONS: Social anxiety may act as a barrier to effective help-seeking and utilization of mental health treatment among individuals with eating disorders. Replication of these findings in a larger sample and more in-depth study of the mechanism of the observed association between use of services and social anxiety may be useful in planning more effective outreach in the community to underserved populations in need of treatment for eating disorders.     

Objective and subjective binge eating in underweight eating disorders: associated features and treatment outcome

Objective:

To define the utility of the DSM‐IV‐TR definition of binge eating, as it applies to anorexia nervosa (AN) and underweight eating disorder not otherwise specified (ED‐NOS).

Method:

We investigated the psychopathological features associated with bulimic episodes in 105 underweight individuals with eating disorders who reported regular objective bulimic episodes with or without subjective bulimic episodes (OBE group, n = 33), regular subjective bulimic episodes only (SBE group, n = 36) and neither objective nor subjective bulimic episodes (n = 36, no‐RBE group). The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), anxiety, depression, and personality tests were administered before and upon completion of inpatient cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) treatment 6 months later.

Results:

Compared with the SBE group, OBE subjects had higher body mass index, and more frequent self‐induced vomiting, while both OBE and SBE groups had more severe eating disorder psychopathology and lower self‐directness than the no‐RBE group. Dropout rates and outcomes in response to inpatient CBT were similar in the three groups.

Discussion:

Despite a few significant differences at baseline, the similar outcome in response to CBT indicates that categorizing patients with underweight eating disorder on the basis of the type or frequency of bulimic episodes is of limited clinical utility. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012;)     

Body dissatisfaction and binge eating in obese women: the role of restraint and depression.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between body dissatisfaction and binge eating, and the mediating role of restraint and depression among obese women. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants were obese women taking part in a cognitive-behavioral treatment program who completed self-report measures at baseline (n = 89) and post-treatment follow-up (n = 69). RESULTS: At baseline, body dissatisfaction was strongly correlated with binge eating score. This was partly a direct effect and partly mediated by depression. No mediating effect of restraint was observed. Over the treatment period, a reduction in body dissatisfaction was associated with a reduction in binge-eating score. As in the cross-sectional data, there was evidence for mediation by change in depression with the greatest improvement in binge eating among those who became more restrained and less depressed. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that it would be valuable to address psychological well-being, and especially body image, as part of the management of binge-eating behavior in obesity.     

COVID-19-Related Stress and Anxiety,Body Mass Index,Eating Disorder Symptomatology,and Body Image in Women from Poland: A Cluster Analysis Approach

To limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many countries have introduced mandated lockdown or social distancing measures. Although these measures may be successful against COVID-19 transmission, the pandemic and attendant restrictions are a source of chronic and severe stress and anxiety which may contribute to the emergence or worsening of symptoms of eating disorders and the development of negative body image. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to: (1) classify different conditions associated with COVID-19-related stress, COVID-19-related anxiety, and weight status; and (2) analyze and compare the severity of dimensions typically related to eating disorders symptomatology and body image in individuals with different COVID-19-related stress, COVID-19-related anxiety, and weight status. Polish women (N = 671, M_age = 32.50 ± 11.38) completed measures of COVID-19-related stress and anxiety along with body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and bulimia symptomatology subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory, and the appearance evaluation, overweight preoccupation, and body areas satisfaction subscales of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. The following four clusters were identified through cluster analysis: (a) Cluster 1 (N = 269), healthy body weight and low COVID-related stress (M = 3.06) and anxiety (M = 2.96); (b) Cluster 2 (N = 154), healthy body weight and high COVID-related stress (M = 5.43) and anxiety (M = 5.29); (c) Cluster 3 (N = 127), excess body weight and high COVID-related stress (M = 5.23) and anxiety (M = 5.35); (d) Cluster 4 (N = 121), excess body weight and low COVID-related stress (M = 2.69) and anxiety (M = 2.83). Our results showed that Clusters 3 and 4 had significantly greater body dissatisfaction and lower appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction than Clusters 1 and 2. Cluster 3 also had a significantly higher level of drive for thinness, bulimia, and overweight preoccupation than Clusters 1 and 2. These preliminary findings may mean that the COVID-19 pandemic and attendant anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic are exacerbating symptoms of eating disorders and negative body image, with women with excess weight particularly at risk.     

青少年青春发动时相和超重肥胖与进食障碍之间的关系

目的 了解蚌埠市青少年超重肥胖、青春发动时相和进食障碍情况及其相互关系,为预防青少年肥胖的发生提供依据。方法 在蚌埠市方便抽取2所九年制学校,从五至八年级随机抽取683名学生,采用青春发育量表(PDS)和进食障碍量表(EDI-C)的分量表进行问卷调查,并测量身高、体重等指标,分析超重肥胖、青春发动时相与进食障碍的关系。结果 男生超重肥胖率高于女生,女生青春发动时相提前率、瘦身倾向得分、体型不满得分和进食障碍总分高于男生(χ²/t值分别为28.69,57.99,3.47,2.59,3.30,P值均<0.05);不同年级学生超重肥胖率、贪食得分和进食障碍总分差异均有统计学意义(χ²/F值分别为28.39,5.11,3.95,P值均<0.01)。超重肥胖与青春发动时相提前、进食障碍之间呈正相关,青春发动时相提前与进食障碍呈正相关(r值分别为0.18,0.17,0.14,P值均<0.01)。青春发动时相提前在超重肥胖与进食障碍之间起的部分中介效应对总效应的贡献率为14.25%。结论 青少年超重肥胖与进食障碍相关,青春发动时相提前在超...     

Impact of eating disorders and psychological distress on the quality of life of obese people

ObjectiveQuality of life (QoL) is impaired in obesity, but the roles of eating behavior and psychological distress need to be more documented.MethodsOne hundred thirty consecutive obese patients seeking medical care filled out questionnaires evaluating QoL, the presence of an eating disorder (ED), levels of anxiety and depression, and perception of body image.ResultsGlobal QoL was poor in 16.4% and intermediate in 61.8% of the patients. EDs were present in 58% of patients who were more (P = 0.05) overweight; 24.2% of patients had binging. EDs impaired significantly the global and specific dimensions of QoL; binging impaired physical and sexual QoLs (both P < 0.02). Anxiety and depression were found in 73.6% and 50.4% of patients, respectively; depression was more frequent in women (P = 0.007) and in patients with EDs. Anxiety and/or depression impaired global (P < 0.001) and specific dimensions of QoL. Body shape concern was marked in 86.4% of women and associated with poor global (P < 0.001) and specific QoL, and with anxiety and depression.ConclusionThe impairment of QoL in obese patients is increased by the presence of an ED, anxiety, and/or depression and marked body shape concern. These psychological factors should be assessed more carefully and taken into account in global strategies aiming to improve the well-being of obese patients.     

Efficacy of tube feeding in binge-eating/vomiting patients: a 2-month randomized trial with 1-year follow-up

Background: In many binge‐eating/vomiting patients, abstinence could not be obtained from classical treatments. Since the authors showed that tube feeding (TF) reduced such episodes in anorexia nervosa (AN)–hospitalized patients, they carried out a randomized trial on the efficacy of TF plus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) vs CBT alone in AN and bulimia nervosa adult outpatients. Methods: The authors randomly assigned 103 ambulatory patients to receive 16 sessions of CBT alone (n = 51) or CBT plus 2 months of TF (n = 52). The main goal was abstinence of binge‐eating/vomiting episodes. Other criteria were gains in fat‐free mass and muscle mass improvements in nutrition markers, and quality of life (SF‐36 Health Survey), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), and anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) scores. Evaluations were performed at 1, 2 (end of treatment), 5, 8, and 14 months (analysis of variance). Results: TF patients were rapidly and more frequently abstinent at the end of treatment (2 months) than the CBT patients: 81% vs 29% (P < .001). Fat‐free mass, biological markers, depressive state (?58% vs ?26%), anxiety (?48% vs ?15%), and quality of life (+42% vs +13%) were more improved in the TF group than in the CBT group (P < .05). One year later, more TF patients remained abstinent (68% vs 27%, P = .02); they were less anxious, were less depressed, and had better quality of life than the CBT patients (P < .05). Conclusion: TF combined with CBT offered better results than CBT alone.     

Shape- and weight-based self-esteem and the eating disorders

Objectives: To determine the psychometric properties of the Shape- and Weight-Based Self-Esteem (SAWBS) Inventory in women with eating disorders, and to compare SAWBS scores in women who have eating disorders with women from psychiatric and normal control groups. Method: Women with eating disorders (n = 48), women with other psychiatric disorders (n = 44), and undergraduate control women (n = 82) completed the SAWBS Inventory and measures of depression, self-esteem, and eating disorder symptomatology. Twenty women from the eating disorder group completed the SAWBS Inventory a second time 1 week later. Results: Similar to previous work in undergraduate samples, SAWBS scores were stable over 1 week, and demonstrated concurrent and discriminant validity in women with eating disorders. In between-group comparisons, SAWBS scores were higher among women with eating disorders than in either control group, even after controlling for age, socioeconomic status, body mass index, and self-esteem. A differing relationship between depression and SAWBS emerged as a function of group; SAWBS scores differed significantly among depressed, but not nondepressed women from the three groups. Conclusion: The psychometric properties of the SAWBS Inventory were established in women with eating disorders. As expected, SAWBS scores were higher in women with eating disorders than in the control groups. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 24: 285–298, 1998.     

Flexible vs. Rigid Dieting Strategies: Relationship with Adverse Behavioral Outcomes

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that different types of dieting strategies are associated with different behavioral outcomes by investigating the relationship of dieting behaviors with overeating, body mass and mood. A sample of 223 adult male and female participants from a large community were studied. Only a small proportion of the sample (18%) was seeking weight loss treatment, though almost half (49.3%) of the subjects were significantly overweight (body mass index, BMI>30). Subjects were administered questionnaires measuring dietary restraint, overeating, depression and anxiety. Measurements of height and weight were also obtained in order to calculate BMI. Canonical correlation was performed to evaluate the relationship of dietary restraint variables with overeating variables, body mass, depression and anxiety. The strongest canonical correlation (r=0.65) was the relationship between flexible dieting and the absence of overeating, lower body mass and lower levels of depression and anxiety. The second strongest canonical correlation (r=0.59) associated calorie counting and conscious dieting with overeating while alone and increased body mass. The third canonical correlation (r=0.57) found a relationship between low dietary restraint and binge eating. The results support the hypothesis that overeating and other adverse behaviors and moods are associated with the presence or absence of certain types of dieting behavior.     

Neuromedin beta: a strong candidate gene linking eating behaviors and susceptibility to obesity

BACKGROUND: Obesity is frequently associated with eating disorders, and evidence indicates that both conditions are influenced by genetic factors. However, little is known about the genes influencing eating behaviors. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to identify genes associated with eating behaviors. DESIGN: Three eating behaviors were assessed in 660 adults from the Quebec Family Study with the use of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. A genome-wide scan was conducted with a total of 471 genetic markers spanning the 22 autosomes to identify quantitative trait loci for eating behaviors. Body composition and macronutrient and energy intakes were also measured. RESULTS: Four quantitative trait loci were identified for disinhibition and susceptibility to hunger. Of these, the best evidence of linkage was found between a locus on chromosome 15q24-q25 and disinhibition (P <0.0058) and susceptibility to hunger (P <0.0001). After fine-mapping, the peak linkage was found between markers D15S206 and D15S201 surrounding the neuromedin beta (NMB) gene. A missense mutation (p.P73T) located within the NMB gene showed significant associations with eating behaviors and obesity phenotypes. The T73T homozygotes were 2 times as likely to exhibit high levels of disinhibition (odds ratio: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.89; P=0.03) and susceptibility to hunger (odds ratio: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.06; P=0.01) as were the P73 allele carriers. Six-year follow-up data showed that the amount of body fat gain over time in T73T subjects was >2 times that than in P73P homozygotes (3.6 compared with 1.5 kg; P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that NMB is a very strong candidate gene of eating behaviors and predisposition to obesity.