Trends in body fat, body mass index and physical fitness among male and female college students

There have been many publications in recent years reporting on the quantity of physical activity among college students using indirect indicators such as steps walked per day or time spent on physical activities. The purpose of this study was to describe the trends of physical fitness related to BMI and body fat among university students between 1996 and 2008. The results showed a significant decline in the average fitness levels measured as an estimation of VO(2max) for male and female students (p < 0.001 for both sexes). The linear trend for BMI by years was not significant for both sexes (p for males = 0.772, p for females = 0.253). On average, in the last 13 years, % body fat was increasing 0.513%/year for males and 0.654%/year for females. There is a significant indirect correlation between the student's VO(2max) levels and % body fat, r = -0.489; p < 0.001 for males; and r = -0.416, p < 0.001 for females. Approximately 23.9% of the variance in the VO(2max) levels in males and 17.3% in females can be explained by the variance in % body fat. The results support recent findings that physical fitness among college students is declining and body fatness is increasing.     

Self-determined, autonomous regulation of eating behavior is related to lower body mass index in a nationwide survey of middle-aged women

BackgroundThe associations among people's level of autonomy in regulating their eating behaviors, food patterns, and degree of obesity have not been investigated in a general adult population.ObjectivesOur objectives were to cross-sectionally examine, in a nationally representative sample of adult New Zealand women, the associations between different styles of eating behavior regulation and body mass index (BMI), with specific food and eating habits as hypothesized mediators.DesignDuring May 2009, a sample of 2,500 New Zealand women aged 40 to 50 years was randomly selected from the nationwide electoral rolls. A 66% (n=1,601) participation rate was achieved. Potential participants were mailed a self-administered questionnaire containing the Regulation of Eating Behavior scale, questions on specific food and eating habits (frequency of binge eating, speed of eating, usual daily servings of fruits and vegetables, usual frequency of intake of several high-fat and/or high-sugar foods), and height and weight.Statistical analysesUnivariate linear regression models were used to examine the associations among demographic, health and behavioral variables, and BMI. Multivariate linear regression models were developed to investigate the relationships between autonomous and controlled forms of eating behavior regulation and BMI, with specific food and eating habits as mediators.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders as well as specific food and eating habits that were potential mediators, BMI was statistically significantly lower by 2% (95% CI ?2.7% to ?1.4%; P<0.001) for every 10-unit increase in autonomous regulation, and statistically significantly higher by 1.4% (95% CI 0.4% to 2.3%; P=0.005) for every 10-unit increase in controlled regulation. The relationships between autonomous regulation and BMI as well as controlled regulation and BMI were only partially mediated by the specific food and eating habits measured.ConclusionsAlthough the direction of causality requires confirmation, the results provide support for the applicability of Self-Determination Theory, and suggest that developing more autonomous motivation for eating behavior is likely to facilitate healthier food habits and lower BMI in middle-aged women.     

Dietary fat reduction behaviors in college students: relationship to dieting status, gender and key psychosocial variables

The primary objectives were to assess dietary fat reduction/avoidance behaviors within a sample of college students, and to assess the strength of the relationship between self reported fat avoidance and a number of variables including body mass index (BMI), self-esteem, and responses to the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT). A total of 210 female and 114 male undergraduate students were administered a food habits questionnaire (which assessed four dietary fat reduction behaviors), the EDI, the dieting subscale of the EAT, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Measured heights and weights were used to compute BMI. Thirty-eight percent of the females and 13% of the males reported that they had dieted with the express purpose of losing weight in the past 12 months. The finding that females in general and female dieters in particular, scored higher on the EAT dieting subscale, and relied on three of the four dietary fat reduction behaviors to a greater extent than did males, supports the assertion that women rely heavily on dietary fat avoidance as a method to reduce caloric intakes. In females, the finding that a greater degree of fat avoidance was associated with significantly lower levels of self-esteem and higher scores on the EAT and on six of the eight EDI subscales suggested that fat avoidance may be a predictor of eating pathology and/or psychosocial problems in college-aged women.     

Self-weighing among adolescents: associations with body mass index, body satisfaction, weight control behaviors, and binge eating

Among adolescent girls, the health effects of frequent self-weighing are unclear. This study examines cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between frequency of self-weighing and body mass index (BMI), body satisfaction, weight control behaviors, and binge eating among a diverse population of adolescent girls. The study was conducted in the Minneapolis/St Paul, MN, metropolitan area between 2007 and 2009. The study population included 356 adolescent girls (mean age 15.7 years); 46.2% of the girls were overweight or obese and >75% were from a racial/ethnic minority group. Anthropometric and survey data were collected at baseline and at follow-up 9 months later. Hierarchical linear regression models were developed to test associations. Cross-sectionally, frequent self-weighing was associated with lower body satisfaction (P=0.034) and higher rates of healthy (P=0.002), unhealthy (P=0.016), and extreme (P=0.038) weight control behaviors. A quadratic association was found between frequency of self-weighing and binge eating, with girls who weighed themselves least and most frequently reporting the highest prevalences of binge eating (P=0.014). No association was observed between frequency of self-weighing and girls' BMI (P=0.111). Short-term longitudinal associations between baseline frequency of self-weighing and changes in body satisfaction, weight control behaviors, binge eating, or BMI were not observed. Findings suggest that among adolescent girls, frequent self-weighing is cross-sectionally associated with both healthy and potentially harmful unhealthy weight control behaviors, and does not contribute to weight loss over time. Adolescents should not be encouraged to engage in frequent self-weighing.     

Body mass index, menarche, and perception of dieting among peripubertal adolescent females

OBJECTIVE: To examine perceptions of dieting among pre and postmenarchial female school students. METHOD: All 51 female students of mean (SD) age 12.6 (0.6) years from a state school volunteered to complete a questionnaire about general health, eating and weight control behaviors, and menstrual status. Height and weight were measured. Focus groups using structured questions and discussion were used to elicit responses about the meaning of dieting and its association with menarche. RESULTS: Postmenarchial females were significantly more likely than the same age premenarchial students to have increased their body mass index (BMI), to clearly articulate the meaning of dieting, to report trying to lose weight, and to use diet and exercise to lose weight. Premenarchial females did not have a clear perception of dieting. Premenarchial females who reported trying to lose weight equated dieting with healthy eating and did not include losing weight or the behaviors and feeling associated with the concept of dieting unless their BMI had increased and menarche was imminent. DISCUSSION: The concept of dieting that may result in weight loss and the behaviors and feelings associated with dieting did not develop until menarche and is likely to be associated with the rapid increase in height, weight, and body fat that precedes menarche. Educational interventions aimed at preventing eating disorders among premenarchial adolescents may therefore be inappropriate, ineffective, and potentially dangerous.     

Evaluation of 8-week body weight control program including sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) supplementation in Korean female college students

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a body weight control program with supplementation of sea tangle (20 g/day) on 22 female college students. The contents of the program for 8 weeks contained diet therapy, exercise and behavioral modification through nutrition education. Body composition, dietary habit scores, serum lipid profiles, daily nutrient intakes and the quality of life were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the program. Average age of subjects and height were 20.8 years and 161.9 cm, respectively. After 8 weeks, there were significant reductions in body weight, body fat mass, percent body fat, waist-hip ratio and BMI. The dietary habit score such as a balanced diet, regularity of mealtime, overeating, eating while watching TV or using the computer and eating salty food were increased significantly. Serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol level, LDL-cholesterol level and triglyceride level were decreased but not significantly. There were decreases in intake of energy, protein and fat and increases in intakes of dietary fiber, folic acid, calcium and potassium from the beginning to the end of the program. There were significant improvements on subcomponents of quality of life; physical functioning, general-health and vitality. The limitation of this study was the fact that there was no control group, but an overall evaluation suggests the 8-week body weight control program consisting of diet therapy, exercise and behavioral modification with supplementation of sea tangle would be helpful to improve the body composition, dietary habits, daily nutrient intakes and quality of life in Korean female college students.     

College Weight Gain and Behavior Transitions: Male and Female Differences

College-student weight gain has been well-documented. However, little is known about the sex differences in weight gain and related behaviors during the transition to college. A repeated-measure study design was used to reveal measured weight changes from October to December 2005 among male and female college students. Three-hundred seventy-nine college students (60% males) participated in both weight assessments and revealed weight gains occurring early in college. Weight gains were found to be of greater incidence and magnitude among college males in the study. More than 25% of both college males and females gained >2.3 kg body weight in an 8-week period. Females starting the study with overweight and obese body mass index (calculated as kg/m²) scores were less likely to gain than either obese or overweight body mass index males or low to healthy body mass index students of both sexes. A life-course perspective was used to analyze focus group discussions conducted among students who participated in the weight assessments and explored their perceptions of the transition in eating and exercise behaviors when coming to college. Students described struggles in adapting healthful eating and exercise behaviors to college life. Comments indicated that while college student activity levels differed from the past, there was consistent agreement that eating healthful diets was perceived to be a greater challenge in the transition to college. Male students were less concerned about weight and used fewer strategies to control weight gain than females. More work is needed to understand the transition of behaviors and in developing healthful lifestyles during college.     

Associations between body mass index,weight control concerns and behaviors,and eating disorder symptoms among non-clinical Chinese adolescents

Background  

Previous research with adolescents has shown associations of body weight, weight control concerns and behaviors with eating disorder symptoms, but it is unclear whether these associations are direct or whether a mediating effect exists. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity, weight control concerns and behaviors, and eating disorder symptoms and to examine the mediating function of weight control concerns and behaviors on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and eating disorder symptoms among non-clinical adolescents in China.     

Ethnic/racial and socioeconomic differences in dieting behaviors and body image perceptions in adolescents

This study examined differences in perceptions of body weight, dieting, unhealthy eating behaviors, and weight control methods among adolescent males and females of various racial/ethnic and socioeconomic (SES) subgroups. Data were derived from a comprehensive health survey administered to 36,320 students in grades 7 through 12 in Minnesota. Differences among ethnic/racial and SES groups were assessed using multivariate logistic regression controlling for grade and body mass index (BMI). Results showed that unhealthy weight control behaviors are not confined to upper SES white females. Compared to white females, Hispanic females reported greater use of diuretics; Asians reported more binge eating; and blacks reported higher rates of vomiting. Black and American Indian females were more likely to be satisfied with their body. Among males and females, higher SES was associated with greater weight satisfaction and lower rates of pathological weight control behaviors. Findings from this study suggest that future research should focus on the validity of self-reports of dieting and weight control behaviors in different ethnic subgroups. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The relationship of childhood adiposity to parent body mass index and eating behavior

OBJECTIVE: To better understand risk factors for the development of obesity in early childhood, we examined the association between children's adiposity and their parents' eating behavior and body mass index (BMI). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parents of 85 white children 36 months of age (49 boys and 36 girls) completed the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire measuring three dimensions of parent eating behavior: disinhibited eating, cognitive restraint of eating, and susceptibility to hunger. Parent BMI (kg/m2) was calculated using self-reported height and weight. The children's percentage body fat was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of parents were obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2). Both maternal and paternal BMI were associated with higher scores for disinhibition (r = 0.69 and r = 0.68, p < 0.001), and maternal BMI was also associated with higher scores for hunger (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). There were no significant relationships between children's percentage body fat and parent eating scores, and the correlation between children's percentage body fat and parent BMI was significant only between mothers and daughters (r = 0.35, p = 0.04). Obese parents were no more likely to have a child who was fatter (upper quintile of percentage body fat for gender). DISCUSSION: Among 36 month-old white children, parent eating behavior was related to parent BMI, but not to children's adiposity. There was only a weak relationship between parent BMI and child adiposity. Despite the aggregation of adiposity within families due to shared genes and environments, children may not express differences in susceptibility to obesity by 3 years of age.     

Race, weight, and correlates of binge eating in female college students

This study examined the correlates of race, weight status, and binge eating among 715 female undergraduate students (77% Caucasian; 13% African American) enrolled at an urban university. Approximately 21.7% of Caucasians and 36.8% of African-Americans (AA) were overweight/obese. Higher BMI was associated with BED, and severity of binge eating symptoms. After removing participants who endorsed compensatory behaviors ≥ 1×/week from the analyses, 8.4% of the sample met criteria for BED (2.4% of the AA and 9.9% of the Caucasian students) and 44% reported severe binge eating symptoms. AA students were less likely to have BED than Caucasian students and reported less severe binge eating symptomatology. For Caucasian students, mood, cognitive restraint, drive for thinness, and BMI all contributed significant individual variance in binge eating severity. For African Americans, mood, body image dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness were found to be unique contributors. For those meeting criteria for BED, retrospectively recalled predictors of binge eating included negative affect (e.g., self-anger, worry, guilt), but not hunger. Behavioral triggers for binge behavior differed by race, as well, with African American students retrospectively reporting lower levels of anxiety prior to bingeing. Results from this study suggest that there are racial differences in binge eating behaviors. Future studies are needed to examine differences in eating practices among racial groups (e.g., grazing, large portions, high fat food preparation) that may contribute to early onset weight gain and obesity. The results suggest the importance of sensitive tailored weight and disordered eating interventions for college women from diverse backgrounds.     

医学生在校3年体质量和体脂及体型的变化

目的 了解医学生在校期间体质量、体脂和体型的变化,为管理体质量促进健康提供科学依据。方法 跟踪100名医学生(男生44名,女生56名),分别于大学二年级和五年级下学期初,测量体质量、身高、腰围、体脂肪量、去脂量和体脂率。结果 3年间男生体质量、体质指数、腰围、体脂量、去脂量、体脂率分别增加4.46 kg、1.35 kg/m2、4.33 cm、2.48 kg、1.98 kg,2.57%, 而女生腰围增加0.78 cm,去脂量减少0.8 kg。男生79.5%体质量增加,平均增加5.9 kg;女生仅46.4%体质量增加,平均增加3.25 kg,女生41.1%体质量降低,平均降低2.73 kg。3年间男生体型构成比发生明显变化(P<0.05),中心型肥胖前期率和中心型肥胖率分别增加18.2%和4.5% 。腰围变化与体质量变化、体脂率变化呈显著正相关(P<0.01)。结论 医学生在校后期,男生体质量和中心型肥胖明显增加,是体质量管理的重点对象。     

Suicidal behavior in adolescents: relationship to weight status, weight control behaviors, and body dissatisfaction

OBJECTIVE: Suicide is associated with full syndromal eating disorders, but it is unclear whether subsyndromal eating disorders carry the same risk. This study examined associations between suicidal behaviors and extreme and less extreme weight control behaviors (EWCB and LWCB, such as fasting, vomiting, meal skipping, etc.), body dissatisfaction, and weight status in adolescents. METHOD: Data on body dissatisfaction, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and attempts, and body mass index (BMI) were drawn from Project EAT, a survey of 4,746 7th-12th grade students. Multivariate logistic regression examined associations between eating- and weight-related variables and suicidality. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were more commonly observed in adolescents with EWCB (boys: ideation OR = 2.12, attempts OR = 4.10; girls: ideation OR = 1.66, attempts OR = 2.29), LWCB (boys: ideation OR = 1.33, attempts OR = 1.76; girls: ideation OR = 1.77, attempts OR = 1.80), as well as body dissatisfaction (boys: ideation OR = 1.75, attempts OR = 2.23; girls: ideation OR = 1.77, attempts OR = 1.81), even after controlling for depressive symptoms. No association was observed between BMI and suicidal attempts or ideation. CONCLUSION: Thus, it appears that suicidal behavior in adolescents is associated even with low-level eating disorder symptoms.     

Serum leptin level among non-obese students: relationship to body fat, blood pressure, serum lipids, physical activity, and eating habits]

Leptin, a product of the ob gene, is thought to play a key role in the regulation of adiposity. However, it is unclear in humans as to whether or not leptin influences the blood pressure, serum lipids, physical activity level, or eating behavior in relation to obesity. Recent reports have indicated both gender-based differences in the leptin levels and a correlation of the percentage of body fat with leptin levels has been observed among obese subjects. As far as we know, these relationships among non-obese young adults have yet to be studied. Therefore, the serum leptin concentrations among 107 non-obese students (72 males and 35 females) were measured by a radioimmunoassay(RIA). Fasting leptin levels ranging between 1.2 and 23.4 ng/mL were observed in all subjects, and the levels among females were 2.6 times higher than in males (7.64 vs 2.95 ng/mL; p < 0.001). A close correlation was observed regarding the log-transformed leptin levels with the percentage of body fat as determined by the bioelectrical impedance analysis method(r = 0.734, p < 0.001 in males and r = 0.579, p < 0.001 in females). In conclusion, these data thus suggest the serum leptin levels among non-obese students show significant gender-based differences while, in addition, the leptin levels also correlate positively with the percentage of body fat. However, it remains unclear as to whether or not the leptin levels are independently related to the blood pressure, serum lipids, physical activity level (sports activity and leisure-time activity), and eating behavior (eating breakfast, mid-day snacking and nighttime snacking).     

Correlates of body mass index, weight goals, and weight-management practices among adolescents

The study examined associations among physical activity, cigarette smoking, body mass index, perceptions of body weight, weight-management goals, and weight-management behaviors of public high school adolescents. The CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey provided a cross-sectional sample (n = 3,089) of public high school students in South Carolina. Logistic regression models were constructed separately for four race-gender groups. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the magnitude of associations. Based on self-reported height and weight, 13% of students were overweight, while 15% were at risk for becoming overweight. However, 42% of students were trying to lose weight, and 22% were trying to maintain current weight. Female students were less likely than male students to be overweight, but more likely to be attempting to lose weight. Extreme weight control practices were reported by 27% of the sample. Among Black females trying to lose weight, positive associations were observed for strengthening exercises (OR = 1.55), but that relationship was associated inversely in Black males (OR = .600). Among White females, attempted weight loss was associated with strengthening exercises (OR = 1.72) and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.54). For White males, attempted weight loss was associated positively with vigorous exercise (OR = 1.41) and inversely related to moderate exercise (OR = .617). Effective weight-management practices for adolescents should focus on appropriate eating behaviors, physical activity, and low-fat/calorie diets. Multicomponent weight management interventions should be conducted within a coordinated school health framework.     

Sociocultural influences on eating attitudes and behaviors,body image,and psychological functioning: A comparison of African-American,Asian-American,and Caucasian college women

Eating attitudes and behaviors, body image, and psychological functioning were evaluated in 98 female college students: 36 African-Americans, 34 Asian-Americans, and 28 Caucasians. African-Americans had significantly higher body mass index than either Asian-American or Caucasians. In contrast, Caucasians reported greater levels of disordered eating and dieting behaviors and attitudes and greater body dissatisfaction than did Asian-Americans and African-Americans who differed little on these measures. The nature of variability in these eating behaviors and attitudes and body image was also examined within each of the three groups. A generally consistent pattern emerged within each racial group: low self-esteem and high public self-consciousness were associated with greater levels of problematic eating behaviors and attitudes and body dissatisfaction. A history of being teased about weight and size was associated with problematic eating behaviors and attitudes and body dissatisfaction in African-Americans and Caucasians but not in Asian-Americans. The findings suggest that there exist important racial differences on various aspects of eating, dieting, and body image in college women. Contrary to hypothesis, the degree of acculturation and assimilation within the African-American and Asian-American groups was unrelated to variability in these domains. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A preliminary evaluation of BMI status in moderating changes in body composition and eating behavior in ethnically-diverse first-year college women

The present pilot investigation explored whether BMI status at college entry moderated changes in body composition and eating behavior in a sample of 134 first-time, first-year undergraduate females (40% Black/African American). Participants had their body measurements [i.e. weight, BMI, hip and waist circumference (WC), percent body fat (PBF)] assessed and completed self-report measures of binge eating, night eating, and intuitive eating at both the beginning of the fall and the beginning of the spring semesters of their first year. Results for the 83 completers revealed that overweight/obese students (N = 28) experienced greater gains in weight (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05), and a trend towards increased WCs (p < 0.06) across the first college semester relative to their underweight/normal weight peers (N = 55). Night eating increased (p < 0.05) and intuitive eating declined (p < 0.05) over time in the full sample. Overweight/obese participants indexed greater binge eating scores (p < 0.001) and lower intuitive eating scores (p < 0.01) irrespective of time. Most anthropometric findings were diminished while all eating behavior estimates were retained in subsequent models adjusted for parental income. Preliminary results call attention to the need for continued elucidation of the roles of socioeconomic and regional diversity in affecting both the prevalence of overweight/obesity and the relationship between higher weight and body composition changes among first-year college women. Findings also provide tentative behavioral targets for college wellness programming that may prove useful in promoting healthy weight management while acclimating to the college environment.     

Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors and Related Risk Factors in Massachusetts Middle and High School Students

Unhealthy weight control behaviors may be precursors to clinical eating disorders; therefore, it is important to identify these actions, and what may trigger them, as early as possible. We used 2009 and 2011 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey data for middle and high school students. We studied age, sex, and race disparities related to unhealthy weight control behaviors in conjunction with other risk factors such as body mass index (BMI), body weight perception, involvement in bullying, and depressive symptoms. The surveys were completed in public schools. Bivariate and multinomial regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between weight control behaviors and BMI categories, body weight perception, bullying involvement, and depressive symptoms. Poor body weight perception, bullying involvement, and depressive symptoms were associated with significantly elevated odds of reporting unhealthy weight control behaviors in both middle and high school students. Most patterns were consistent for middle and high school students, with obesity and bullying involvement being prevailing risks for high school students. Though females were more likely to report unhealthy weight control behaviors we also showed the rarely presented prevalence of male involvement in disordered eating behaviors including those who perceived themselves to be underweight. Health education classes and school-based interventions may be two strategies to help prevent the development of unhealthy weight control behaviors. Continuation of youth surveys that gather data on weight control behaviors and known risk factors is essential for observing changes in behaviors over time.     

Lower serum leptin levels in female students of the nutritional sciences with eating disorders

Summary. Background: Evidence has accumulated that in both acutely ill and recovered patients with either anorexia or bulimia nervosa circulating leptin levels (LL) are lower than in controls matched for body mass index (BMI; kg/m²). It is unknown if these lower leptin levels represent a state or trait marker. Aim of the study: We aimed to confirm the lowered leptin levels in eating disordered females and to identify underlying mechanisms. Methods: We screened 181 female students of the nutritional sciences for eating disorders with the respective module of the M-Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Cognitive Restraint scale of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire. The physical assessment included determinations of BMI, body composition and LL. Each case fulfilling lifetime DSM-IV criteria for an eating disorder was BMI matched to two controls. We used a multivariate mixed regression model to evaluate if the observed difference in lg₁₀-leptin level between cases and controls is actually due to the influence of restrained eating and/or previous weight loss after adjustment for BMI and percent body fat. Results: In accordance with our hypothesis the 32 (17.7 %) cases had a lower serum lg₁₀-leptin level than the 64 BMI matched controls (one-sided p < 0.001). We were not able to detect an influence of restrained eating or previous weight loss. Conclusions: We confirm that females with a lifetime history of an eating disorder have lower LL. We were not able to identify an underlying mechanism. Similar to most previous studies we found a high rate of eating disorders among female students of nutritional sciences. Received: 24 June 2002, Accepted: 12 December 2002 Correspondence to: Prof. Johannes Hebebrand     

Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and dieting attitudes among Caucasian and African American college students in Eastern North carolina: A cross-sectional survey

A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the rates of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25), and eating attitudes among college students. Data were collected at a large southeastern university. Adolescents (ages 18-25) self-reported weight and height (to calculate BMI), and, in addition to demographic information, completed the eating attitudes (EAT 26) scale to assess dieting tendencies. Significance of the mean BMI differences between gender and ethnic background were assessed by one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Chi-square was used to determine whether the rate of those with BMI≥25 between gender and ethnic background was statistically significant. While 52.7% of the students'' BMI were within the normal weight category, 15.2% were underweight, 21.3% were overweight, and 10.8% were obese. The rate of BMI≥25 differed by gender and ethnicity, with males and African Americans having higher rates. About 12 % of the participants reported disturbed eating behavior, which is lower than previously reported. Even so, results support the generally held belief that disturbed eating attitudes and unhealthy dieting are common among college students, especially among females. At the same time, disturbed eating attitudes are not just the domain of young female students; about 10% of college males reported disturbed eating attitudes. Findings of this study call for obesity prevention/intervention and lifestyle modification outreach programs among college students. Weight status and unhealthy eating behaviors of college students should be a concern to health care professionals. While obese young adults will likely remain obese throughout their adult life, excessive dieting among students, which is linked to eating disorders and other health hazards, does not provide healthy and adequate alternatives for maintaining a normal BMI. Implications for obesity prevention programs are discussed.