This cross-sectional study investigated the moderating role of eating behaviour traits (cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating) in the association between neighbourhood exposure to hot food takeaway outlets and takeaway food consumption and adiposity. Using data from 4791 adults in the Fenland Study (UK), higher takeaway outlet exposure and higher eating behaviour trait scores were independently associated with greater takeaway consumption and body fat percentage. Uncontrolled eating did not moderate the associations. The association between takeaway outlet exposure and takeaway consumption was slightly stronger in those with higher cognitive restraint, while the association with body fat percentage was slightly stronger in those with lower emotional eating. Interventions at both individual and environmental levels are needed to address unhealthy diets.

Jody C. Hoenink, Thomas Burgoine, Soren Brage, Nita Forouhi, Simon J. Griffin, Pablo Monsivais, Nicholas J. Wareham, Amy Ahern, Jean Adams