OBJECTIVE: Few studies have investigated disordered eating and unhealthy weight control behaviors and cardiovascular health (CVH) outside of adolescence and early adulthood. We examined the cross-sectional and prospective associations of these behaviors and CVH in middle adulthood. METHOD: A total of 2,095 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults participants were assessed at Year 10 (Y10, 1995-1996) and Year 30 (Y30, 2015-2016). The Y10-administered Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns-Revised was used to create the problematic relationship to eating and food (PREF) score (range 0-8). Higher scores indicated greater disordered eating and/or unhealthy weight control behaviors across eight components. PREF was modeled categorically: 0-1 (reference), 2-3, and 4-8. Diet, physical activity, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index (BMI) were measured at Y10 and Y30 (diet at Y7 and Y20) and used to define CVH. CVH was modeled categorically: poor-to-intermediate (0-9) and ideal (10-14
reference). Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between PREF and CVH categories and components. RESULTS: PREF 4-8 was associated with Y10 poor-to-intermediate CVH ( CONCLUSIONS: Disordered eating and unhealthy weight control behaviors are cross-sectionally but not prospectively associated with poorer CVH during middle age. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).