Exploring Eating Behavior as a Mediator Between Weight Cycling and Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Young Adults

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Weight cycling has been linked to cardiovascular dysfunction, yet the contribution of behavioral mechanisms remains unclear. This study examined whether eating behavior mediates the relationship between two weight cycling measures—Weight Cycling Index (WCI) and number of times cycled—and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: Data from 176 participants were analyzed using Spearman correlations and regression models. Cardiovascular outcomes included pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AixHR), and blood pressure metrics. MEQ Total Score and TFEQ Uncontrolled Eating were tested as mediators, with age and gender as covariates. RESULTS: WCI was significantly associated with PWV (rₛ = 0.172, p = 0.0165), CSBP (rₛ = 0.210, p = 0.0019), and diastolic pressures (BDBP, CDBP; p < 0.05). Number of times cycled correlated with PWV (rₛ = 0.206, p = 0.0037), CSBP (rₛ = 0.175, p = 0.010), and CDBP (rₛ = 0.138, p = 0.0423). Regression models showed age as a consistent predictor (p < 0.001), and gender influenced AP (p = 0.013). Eating behavior variables were not significant predictors. CONCLUSION: Weight cycling measures are modestly associated with cardiovascular risk markers, but their predictive power is limited when controlling for age and gender. Future research should use longitudinal designs and robust methods to clarify behavioral pathways.