Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents

Uğur Tekeoğlu; Merve Yazıcı; Yüksel Sümeyra Naralan; Handan Duman

doi:10.18521/ktd.1934598

Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Aim: Interventions targeting childhood obesity require identification of psychological correlates and potential behavioral mechanisms. Because BMI varies by age and sex during childhood and adolescence, this study examined associations among alexithymia, UPPS-P impulsivity dimensions, and age- and sex-standardized BMI z-scores in youth.

Material and Methods: A total of 270 children and adolescents aged 10-14 completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale for Children (UPPS-P-C). Height and weight were measured by a physician using standard procedures. BMI-for-age z-scores and percentiles were calculated using the WHO Growth Reference 2007. Regression-based mediation analyses were conducted with PROCESS Macro Model 4, with age and sex as covariates.

Results: BMI z-score was positively and significantly correlated with alexithymia and all UPPS-P-C subscales. Lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation, and negative urgency showed the strongest correlations with BMI z-score. After adjustment for age and sex, the total effect of TAS score on BMI z-score was significant (B = 0.044, SE = 0.006, p < .001). Significant indirect effects were observed through lack of premeditation (indirect effect = 0.013, 95% BootCI [0.006, 0.020]) and lack of perseverance (indirect effect = 0.013, 95% BootCI [0.006, 0.021]). Indirect effects through negative urgency, sensation seeking, and positive urgency were not significant.

Conclusion: Alexithymia is associated with higher BMI z-scores in children and adolescents, partly through difficulties in premeditation and perseverance. Given the cross-sectional design, findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal mediation. Longitudinal and interventional studies are required before intervention recommendations can be made.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Uğur Tekeoğlu ^*
0000-0002-8432-7566
Türkiye

Merve Yazıcı
0000-0001-8217-0043
Türkiye

Yüksel Sümeyra Naralan
0000-0002-7788-5711
Türkiye

Handan Duman
0000-0002-9519-8739
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 27, 2026

Submission Date

April 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 18 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1934598

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA63YE37LN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Tekeoğlu, U., Yazıcı, M., Naralan, Y. S., & Duman, H. (2026). Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents. Konuralp Medical Journal, 18(3), 211-222. https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1934598

AMA

1.Tekeoğlu U, Yazıcı M, Naralan YS, Duman H. Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2026;18(3):211-222. doi:10.18521/ktd.1934598

Chicago

Tekeoğlu, Uğur, Merve Yazıcı, Yüksel Sümeyra Naralan, and Handan Duman. 2026. “Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents”. Konuralp Medical Journal 18 (3): 211-22. https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1934598.

EndNote

Tekeoğlu U, Yazıcı M, Naralan YS, Duman H (October 1, 2026) Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents. Konuralp Medical Journal 18 3 211–222.

IEEE

[1]U. Tekeoğlu, M. Yazıcı, Y. S. Naralan, and H. Duman, “Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents”, Konuralp Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 211–222, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.18521/ktd.1934598.

ISNAD

Tekeoğlu, Uğur - Yazıcı, Merve - Naralan, Yüksel Sümeyra - Duman, Handan. “Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents”. Konuralp Medical Journal 18/3 (October 1, 2026): 211-222. https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1934598.

JAMA

1.Tekeoğlu U, Yazıcı M, Naralan YS, Duman H. Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2026;18:211–222.

MLA

Tekeoğlu, Uğur, et al. “Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents”. Konuralp Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 211-22, doi:10.18521/ktd.1934598.

Vancouver

1.Uğur Tekeoğlu, Merve Yazıcı, Yüksel Sümeyra Naralan, Handan Duman. Exploring the Potential Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Alexithymia in Children and Adolescents. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2026 Oct. 1;18(3):211-22. doi:10.18521/ktd.1934598