The relationship between body mass index and food preoccupation in women: A moderated mediation of body‐related self‐conscious emotions and self‐esteem

Objective Individuals who are preoccupied with food are more likely to develop maladaptive eating behaviours and eating disorders. Thus, it is advisable to investigate the factors that increase vulnerability to food preoccupation (FP) to prevent its harmful impact on physical and mental health. Our objective in this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and FP in Polish women (N = 407) and examine a possible pathway through body‐related shame and body‐related guilt and self‐esteem. Method Participants completed an abbreviated version of the Eating Attitudes Test–26, the Body and Appearance Self‐Conscious Emotions Scale, and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. Results The findings demonstrated a positive indirect effect of BMI on FP through body‐related shame and body‐related guilt. However, this effect was moderated by self‐esteem only for body‐related shame; namely, in women with a low or average level of self‐esteem, higher BMI was related to higher body‐related shame, which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of FP. These associations were not observed in women with a high level of self‐esteem. Discussion Body‐related shame may help explain the relationship between BMI and FP. Moreover, self‐esteem serves as a protective factor against body‐related shame related to higher BMI and, as a result, against FP. Highlights We investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and food preoccupation (FP) including body‐related emotions and self‐esteem as potential mediators and a moderator, respectively. Both body‐related shame and body‐related guilt mediated partially the relationship between BMI and FP. Self‐esteem moderated the relationship between BMI and body‐related shame; in women with a low and an average level of self‐esteem, higher BMI was related to higher body‐related shame which, in turn, was linked to FP.