Researchers studied 1,366 adults at an obesity clinic in Italy to understand how eating habits and exercise change as weight increases. They found that people with more severe obesity tend to eat faster, skip meals more often, eat without thinking, and exercise less than people with milder weight gain. The study suggests that obesity isn’t just about how much people weigh—it’s also about their daily habits and behaviors. Understanding these patterns could help doctors create better, personalized treatment plans for people struggling with weight.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How eating habits, food choices, exercise, and sleep patterns differ between people with different levels of obesity
  • Who participated: 1,366 adults visiting an obesity clinic in Italy, divided into five groups based on their BMI (body mass index), ranging from overweight to severe obesity
  • Key finding: As obesity became more severe, people reported eating faster, skipping meals more often, losing control while eating, exercising less, and choosing fewer fiber-rich foods like vegetables and whole grains
  • What it means for you: Your eating habits and activity level may play an important role in weight gain. If you recognize these patterns in yourself, working with a healthcare provider on specific behavior changes—like eating slower, not skipping meals, and adding more movement—might help more than general weight loss advice.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a large group of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. The researchers collected information from 1,366 adults who came to an obesity clinic in Italy. They asked people about their eating habits (like how fast they eat, whether they skip meals, and if they eat without thinking), their food preferences, how much they exercise, and how well they sleep. They then organized people into five groups based on their BMI—a measurement that compares weight to height. The groups ranged from overweight to severe obesity. The researchers used statistical tests to see if eating and exercise habits were different between the groups, and they adjusted their results to account for age differences.

This approach is important because it shows real-world patterns in a large group of people seeking obesity treatment. Rather than studying obesity in a lab setting, researchers looked at actual patients and their actual behaviors. This helps doctors understand that obesity isn’t one-size-fits-all—different people may have different eating and exercise patterns that contribute to weight gain. Understanding these patterns is the first step toward creating personalized treatment plans.

The study’s main strength is its large sample size of over 1,300 people, which makes the findings more reliable. However, the study has important limitations: it only looked at people at one point in time, so we can’t know if these behaviors caused the weight gain or resulted from it. Also, people reported their own behaviors (like how fast they eat), which may not be completely accurate. The study didn’t use objective measurements like video recording of eating or fitness trackers. The researchers acknowledge these limitations and suggest future studies should use more objective methods.

What the Results Show

The study found clear patterns as obesity became more severe. People with severe obesity were significantly more likely to eat quickly, skip meals, and eat without thinking compared to people who were overweight. They also exercised less and participated in sports less frequently. Additionally, people with more severe obesity reported eating fewer fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and more often chose processed or fast foods. These differences were statistically significant, meaning they weren’t likely due to chance. The patterns were consistent across the different obesity groups, suggesting that these behaviors gradually change as weight increases rather than suddenly appearing at one weight threshold.

The study also looked at sleep quality and found some trends, though the results were less clear than for eating and exercise. The researchers noted that the combination of multiple behaviors—fast eating, meal skipping, uncontrolled eating, low exercise, and poor food choices—seemed to cluster together in people with more severe obesity. This suggests that these behaviors may be connected and might reinforce each other.

This research adds to growing evidence that obesity involves more than just calorie counting. Previous studies have suggested that eating speed, meal frequency, and food quality matter for weight management. This study confirms those findings in a large, real-world clinic population and shows that these patterns become more pronounced as obesity becomes more severe. The findings align with other research showing that behavioral factors are important in obesity, not just genetics or metabolism.

The biggest limitation is that this study is a snapshot in time—researchers can’t prove that these eating and exercise habits caused the weight gain. It’s possible that gaining weight changes these behaviors, or that both are caused by something else entirely. Second, all the information came from people’s own reports, which may not be completely accurate. People might forget how much they exercise or might not realize how fast they eat. The study didn’t use tools like fitness trackers or video observation to measure these behaviors objectively. Finally, the study only included people at one obesity clinic in Italy, so the findings might not apply to all populations or countries with different food cultures and healthcare systems.

The Bottom Line

If you’re struggling with weight, consider working with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian on these specific behaviors: (1) Slow down while eating—put your fork down between bites and aim to eat meals over 20-30 minutes. (2) Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast, as this may lead to overeating later. (3) Add more fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to your diet. (4) Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, like brisk walking or sports you enjoy. These recommendations are supported by this research and other studies, though individual results vary. Confidence level: Moderate—these findings are promising but need confirmation with more rigorous studies.

These findings are most relevant for people who are overweight or have obesity and want to understand their eating patterns. They’re also useful for healthcare providers, dietitians, and obesity specialists who can use this information to create personalized treatment plans. People with normal weight may also benefit from understanding these patterns to prevent weight gain. However, this study doesn’t apply to people with eating disorders, medical conditions affecting metabolism, or those taking medications that affect weight.

Changes in eating speed and meal patterns can be noticed within weeks, but weight loss typically takes 4-8 weeks to become visible. Sustained benefits usually appear after 3-6 months of consistent behavior change. Remember that weight loss isn’t always linear—some weeks you may lose more than others, and that’s normal.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track eating speed by noting how many minutes you spend on each meal (goal: 20-30 minutes minimum). Also log whether you skipped any meals and count servings of vegetables and fruits daily (goal: 5+ servings). Record minutes of physical activity, including sports, brisk walking, or exercise.
  • Use the app to set daily reminders to slow down eating, eat three regular meals, and move for 30 minutes. Create a simple checklist: ‘Ate slowly,’ ‘Didn’t skip meals,’ ‘Ate vegetables,’ ‘Exercised.’ Celebrate when you complete the checklist to build motivation.
  • Review your eating speed and meal regularity weekly. Every two weeks, assess your vegetable intake and exercise minutes. Monthly, look at overall patterns to see if you’re becoming more consistent. Use the app’s trending feature to visualize improvements over time, which can be motivating even before weight changes appear.

This research describes patterns observed in people with obesity but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. The findings are based on self-reported information and may not apply to all populations. Before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have health conditions or take medications, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.