Exploring longitudinal associations of appetitive traits with thinness-oriented eating disorder symptomatology in Chinese older adults

Even though appetitive traits are found to be related to thinness-oriented eating disorder (ED) symptomatology, findings are generally based on younger populations, such as children and young adults. Given both the global and China's rapidly aging population and the impacts of eating behaviors on malnutrition and geriatric health decline, identifying potential correlates for disordered eating is a public health priority. To our knowledge, the relationship between appetitive traits and thinness-oriented ED symptomatology in older adults remains unexamined. Given the strength of longitudinal designs in clarifying temporal directionality, this study investigated the prospective relationships of appetitive traits with thinness-oriented ED symptomatology among Chinese older adults. A sample of 202 Chinese older adults aged 56-76 years (45% women) participated in an online survey at baseline (T1) and one year later (T2). We conducted univariate and multivariable analyses to explore the prospective relationships of eight appetitive traits at T1 with thinness-oriented ED symptomatology at T2, controlling for covariates and outcome variables at T1. Univariate analyses showed that higher emotional undereating and higher satiety responsiveness at T1 were related to higher thinness-oriented ED symptomatology at T2. Multivariate analyses further revealed that higher emotional undereating at T1 was uniquely related to higher thinness-oriented ED symptomatology at T2. This study is the first to explore the prospective relationships of appetitive traits with thinness-oriented ED symptomatology in an older adult sample, underscoring the potential of targeting appetitive traits to promote eating behaviors in older adults.