Psychological health, behavior, and bodyweight (PBBW) model: An evaluation of predictors of health behaviors and body mass index (BMI)

ABSTRACT

This study proposes and tests a theory driven model: the psychological health, behavior and body weight (PBBW) model. The model hypothesizes an indirect relationship between psychological health and body weight, mediated by health behaviors. Correctional employees (N = 317) completed physical assessments and self-report surveys that measured body mass index (BMI), perceived stress, psychological health (overall mood and depressive symptoms), and health behavior (as indicated by reported diet and exercise quality). The authors used structural equation modeling to evaluate the relationships between variables and test the model. Results supported the PBBW model, and findings suggested that psychological health and stress affected body weight. Furthermore the effect of psychological health on body weight was mediated by health behaviors.

KEYWORDS:

• Body weight
• correctional employees
• employee health
• health behavior
• psychological health
• stress
• structural equation modeling

Acknowledgments

Ms. Christina Mignano, RD, was a graduate student who helped with data collection, data analysis, and writing of the article. Dr. Pouran Faghri was responsible for the data collection and analysis as well as the writing of the final manuscript. She supervised Ms. Mignano in her project. Dr. Huedo-Medina was responsible for overseeing data analysis and helped with writing of the final manuscript and supervising Ms. Mignano in her final project. Dr. Cherniack is the codirector of the Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace and was involved with design, implementation, and writing of the final manuscript.