Association Between Psychobehavioral Factors and the Increased Eating Rate of Ultra-Processed Versus Non-Ultra-Processed Meals in Individuals with Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial

Barros, Ludmila de Melo; Peixoto, Vanessa Amorim; Carvalho, Guilherme César Oliveira de; Pereira, Micnéias Róberth; Carnaúba, Rodrigo Tenório Lins; Bueno, Nassib Bezerra

doi:10.3390/nu17132236

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Association Between Psychobehavioral Factors and the Increased Eating Rate of Ultra-Processed Versus Non-Ultra-Processed Meals in Individuals with Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial

by

Ludmila de Melo Barros

,

Vanessa Amorim Peixoto

,

Guilherme César Oliveira de Carvalho

,

Micnéias Róberth Pereira

,

Rodrigo Tenório Lins Carnaúba

and

Nassib Bezerra Bueno

^*

Laboratório de Nutrição e Metabolismo (LANUM), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição (PPGNUT), Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Campus AC Simões, Av. Lourival Melo Mota, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Maceió 57072-900, AL, Brazil

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2236; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132236 (registering DOI)

Submission received: 13 June 2025 / Revised: 1 July 2025 / Accepted: 4 July 2025 / Published: 5 July 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Ultra-Processed Foods and Health Outcomes)

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: A faster eating rate is associated with increased energy intake and risk of obesity. High consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with a faster eating rate. Psychobehavioral aspects, such as body image self-perception, eating disorders, and anxiety, may modulate this eating behavior. Therefore, this study examined the moderating role of psychobehavioral factors in the association between meal type (UPF vs non-UPF) and eating rate among individuals with obesity. Methods: It is a secondary analysis of a randomized, parallel clinical trial conducted with 39 adults who have obesity. Participants were assigned to consume either a UPF-only composed meal or a UPF-free meal, both of which were isoenergetic (~550 kcal). Psychobehavioral variables (food addiction—mYFAS 2.0, body image perception and satisfaction—Silhouette Rating Scale, eating disorders—EAT-26, and anxiety—GAD-7) were assessed. Eating rate was measured in kcal/min. Results: Body image perception and satisfaction significantly interacted with the type of meal. In the UPF group, lower body image dissatisfaction was associated with a higher eating rate (β = 4.79 kcal/min; 95% CI: 1.40; 8.19; p = 0.007), while a higher body image perception score was associated with a lower eating rate (β = −4.61 kcal/min; 95% CI: −8.57; −0.65; p = 0.024). No significant associations were observed for food addiction scores, eating disorders or anxiety. Conclusions: Body image modulates the eating rate in the context of UPF consumption. These findings suggest that interventions against obesity should consider individual psychobehavioral characteristics.

Keywords: food intake; feeding behavior; eating disorders; body image

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MDPI and ACS Style

Barros, L.d.M.; Peixoto, V.A.; Carvalho, G.C.O.d.; Pereira, M.R.; Carnaúba, R.T.L.; Bueno, N.B. Association Between Psychobehavioral Factors and the Increased Eating Rate of Ultra-Processed Versus Non-Ultra-Processed Meals in Individuals with Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial. Nutrients 2025, 17, 2236. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132236

AMA Style

Barros LdM, Peixoto VA, Carvalho GCOd, Pereira MR, Carnaúba RTL, Bueno NB. Association Between Psychobehavioral Factors and the Increased Eating Rate of Ultra-Processed Versus Non-Ultra-Processed Meals in Individuals with Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial. Nutrients. 2025; 17(13):2236. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132236

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barros, Ludmila de Melo, Vanessa Amorim Peixoto, Guilherme César Oliveira de Carvalho, Micnéias Róberth Pereira, Rodrigo Tenório Lins Carnaúba, and Nassib Bezerra Bueno. 2025. "Association Between Psychobehavioral Factors and the Increased Eating Rate of Ultra-Processed Versus Non-Ultra-Processed Meals in Individuals with Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial" Nutrients 17, no. 13: 2236. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132236

APA Style

Barros, L. d. M., Peixoto, V. A., Carvalho, G. C. O. d., Pereira, M. R., Carnaúba, R. T. L., & Bueno, N. B. (2025). Association Between Psychobehavioral Factors and the Increased Eating Rate of Ultra-Processed Versus Non-Ultra-Processed Meals in Individuals with Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial. Nutrients, 17(13), 2236. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132236

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Association Between Psychobehavioral Factors and the Increased Eating Rate of Ultra-Processed Versus Non-Ultra-Processed Meals in Individuals with Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial

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