Obesity concerns, weight satisfaction and characteristics of female dieters: a study on female Taiwanese college students

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to obtain baseline data regarding desired body weight, weight satisfaction, self-perceived weight categories, approaches to weight loss of female college students in Taiwan. The characteristics of subjects who are dieting were also assessed. METHODS: One thousand, fifty-seven female college students participated in this study. Written questionnaires were used for data collection. Students' height and weight were also measured. Simple frequency and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze data. Post hoc analyses were performed with the LSD test when the F ratio for the ANOVA was significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: In general, subjects perceived themselves as being heavier than their actual weight categories. The percentage of subjects who perceived they were overweight or obese was much higher than the percentage of subjects who were actually in these categories (51.4% vs. 16.2%). Above 20% of subjects in both severely underweight and underweight categories use some methods to lose weight. More than 60% of subjects in acceptable weight categories still want to lose weight. A higher percentage of subjects chose exercise than dieting as the major weight-loss method. Subjects in the DS/D (dissatisfied/dieting) group did not score higher points for knowledge and attitude in nutrition, and they tended to measure their body weight more frequently (p<0.05), spent more time for exercise (p<0.05) and for reading nutrition information (p<0.05); they also skipped lunch (p<0.05) more frequently than others. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that risk factors leading to eating disorders are common among Taiwanese college females. Dietitians, physicians and other health professionals should be on the alert to identify patients with eating disorders.     

Dieting status and its relationship to weight, dietary intake, and physical activity changes over two years in a working population

The present study prospectively examined changes in dietary intake, physical activity and weight associated with self-reported efforts to lose weight in a cohort of 3671 men and women sampled from the general population. Dieting efforts, dietary intake, physical activity and weight were measured at two points in time, 24 months apart. At baseline, current dieters reported consuming fewer dairy products, sweets, meat, soft drinks and fried potatoes (all p's < .0001), and engaging more frequently in high-intensity physical activity (p < .0001) than those not currently dieting. At follow-up, current dieters reported consuming fewer sweets (p < .0001) and fried potatoes (p < .0008), and engaging more frequently in moderate-intensity physical activity (p < .02) than those not currently dieting. Prospectively, those who initiated weight-loss diets showed the largest decrease in consumption of sweets (p < .0001), soft drinks (p < .0001), and fried potatoes (p < .01), and increase in frequency of high-intensity physical activity (p < .0001) and moderate-intensity physical activity (p < .007). Those initiating weight-loss diets were the only group to lose weight (1 lb.). Those dieting at baseline but not at follow-up gained the most weight (4 lbs.). Self-reports of current dieting correspond to reported changes in dietary intake and physical activity, and to measured changes in weight over the same time period. Individuals who report dieting to lose weight have healthier eating and exercise patterns than those who do not report dieting.     

Using the health belief model to develop culturally appropriate weight-management materials for African-American women

African-American women have the highest prevalence of adult obesity in the United States. They are less likely to participate in weight-loss programs and tend to have a low success rate when they do so. The goal of this project was to explore the use of the Health Belief Model in developing culturally appropriate weight-management programs for African-American women. Seven focus groups were conducted with 50 African-American women. The Health Belief Model was used as the study's theoretical framework. Participants made a clear delineation between the terms healthy weight, overweight, and obese. Sexy, flirtatious words, such as thick, stacked, and curvy were often used to describe their extra weight. Participants accurately described the health risks of obesity. Most believed that culture and genetics made them more susceptible to obesity. The perceived benefits of losing weight included reduced risk for health problems, improved physical appearance, and living life to the fullest. Perceived barriers included a lack of motivation, reliable dieting information, and social support. Motivators to lose weight included being diagnosed with a health problem, physical appearance, and saving money on clothes. Self-efficacy was primarily affected by a frustrated history of dieting. The data themes suggest areas that should be addressed when developing culturally appropriate weight-loss messages, programs, and materials for African-American women.     

Diet,Nutrition, and Cancer: From Basic Research to Policy Implications

Objective: This study was designed to obtain baseline data regarding desired body weight, weight satisfaction, self-perceived weight categories, approaches to weight loss of female college students in Taiwan. The characteristics of subjects who are dieting were also assessed.

Methods: One thousand, fifty-seven female college students participated in this study. Written questionnaires were used for data collection. Students’ height and weight were also measured. Simple frequency and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze data. Post hoc analyses were performed with the LSD test when the F ratio for the ANOVA was significant at p<0.05.

Results: In general, subjects perceived themselves as being heavier than their actual weight categories. The percentage of subjects who perceived they were overweight or obese was much higher than the percentage of subjects who were actually in these categories (51.4% vs. 16.2%). Above 20% of subjects in both severely underweight and underweight categories use some methods to lose weight. More than 60% of subjects in acceptable weight categories still want to lose weight. A higher percentage of subjects chose exercise than dieting as the major weight-loss method. Subjects in the DS/D (dissatisfied/dieting) group did not score higher points for knowledge and attitude in nutrition, and they tended to measure their body weight more frequently (p<0.05), spent more time for exercise (p<0.05) and for reading nutrition information (p<0.05); they also skipped lunch (p<0.05) more frequently than others.

Conclusions: The results indicate that risk factors leading to eating disorders are common among Taiwanese college females. Dietitians, physicians and other health professionals should be on the alert to identify patients with eating disorders.     

Weight-loss attempts and risk of major weight gain: a prospective study in Finnish adults

BACKGROUND: The effects of weight-loss attempts on long-term weight gain remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study prospectively how attempts to lose weight relate to future risk of major weight gain (>10 kg) and whether familial factors affect this relation. DESIGN: Participants in the Finnish Twin Cohort (3536 men and 4193 women aged 18-54 y at baseline) were followed up for 6-15 y. The role of familial factors was studied in 1705 twin pairs in this cohort who were discordant for weight-loss attempts at baseline. Baseline (1975) and follow-up (1981 and 1990) data-including weight, weight-loss attempts (dieting), and selected confounders-were obtained via mailed questionnaires. RESULTS: Average weight gain was at most weakly associated with weight-loss attempts. The risk of major weight gain for subjects attempting to lose weight at baseline was greatest among initially young (18-29 y) men (over 6 and 15 y, respectively-odds ratios: 2.01 and 1.74; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.57 and 1.11, 2.75) and middle-aged (30-54 y) women (over 6 and 15 y, respectively-2.43 and 1.52; 1.33, 4.42 and 1.06, 2.22) and persisted after potential confounders were controlled for. These risks decreased and became nonsignificant in the pairwise twin analysis, suggesting that the relation between dieting and subsequent major weight gain may also have a familial component. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-loss attempts may be associated with subsequent major weight gain, even when several potential confounders are controlled for. Genetic and familial factors may contribute to this association.     

1985 NHIS findings: nutrition knowledge and baseline data for the weight-loss objectives

A nutrition objective for the nation is that, by 1990, 50 percent of the overweight population should have adopted weight regimens, balancing diet and physical activity. More than half of the overweight respondents in the 1985 National Health Interview Survey were trying to lose weight, and almost half of this group reported both increasing their physical activity and decreasing their intake of calories. Dietary restriction without exercise was the next most common weight-loss regimen, suggesting that educational efforts should emphasize the need to increase physical activity as part of appropriate weight-loss regimens. Attempts to lose weight were reported frequently among those of normal and lean weight as well as among those who were overweight, especially among women and the better educated. About one-fifth of already lean young women reported attempting weight loss, an indication that some inappropriate dieting is probably occurring, suggesting the need for caution in public health promotion of weight loss. Another 1990 objective is that 90 percent of adults should understand that eating fewer calories or increasing activity, or both, is essential to lose weight. More than 70 percent of adults in this survey were able to identify these as the two best ways to reduce weight, with greater proportions of the younger adults and the more highly educated being knowledgeable. The survey also provided data for an objective that targets some nutrition education and counseling as part of all routine health contacts with health professionals by 1990. Twenty-nine percent of all women and 22 percent of all men reported that eating proper foods was discussed sometimes or often in routine contacts.     

大学生对肥胖与减肥的认知行调查

目的了解大学生对肥胖及减肥方法的认知行。方法采用随机抽样的方法,对井冈山大学200名大学生进行问卷调查。结果对自身体型满意的大学生占38．0％;有81．0％的学生认为肥胖会引发疾病;89．0％的学生认为肥胖者应该减肥;选择运动或与节食相结合方式减肥的大学生占76．0％;31．0％的大学生曾经试过减肥,23．5％正在减肥。45．5％的大学生从来没有尝试过减肥。结论大学生对自身体型满意度偏低．大学生多数会选择以运动为主的减肥方式,但对肥胖的认知不够全面。且存在盲目减肥现象和减肥方法不合理,学校应对大学生开展肥胖与科学减肥相关知识的健康教育。     

Weight loss attempts in adults: goals, duration, and rate of weight loss.

OBJECTIVES: Although attempted weight loss is common, little is known about the goals and durations of weight loss attempts and the rates of achieved weight loss in the general population. METHODS. Data were collected by telephone in 1989 from adults aged 18 years and older in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Analyses were carried out separately for the 6758 men and 14,915 women who reported currently trying to lose weight. RESULTS. Approximately 25% of the men respondents and 40% of the women respondents reported that they were currently trying to lose weight. Among men, a higher percentage of Hispanics (31%) than of Whites (25%) or Blacks (23%) reported trying to lose weight. Among women, however, there were no ethnic differences in prevalence. The average man wanted to lose 30 pounds and to weigh 178 pounds; the average woman wanted to lose 31 pounds and to weigh 133 pounds. Black women wanted to lose an average of 8 pounds more than did White women, but Black women's goal weight was 10 pounds heavier. The average rate of achieved weight loss was 1.4 pounds per week for men and 1.1 pounds per week for women; these averages, however, may reflect only the experience of those most successful at losing weight. CONCLUSIONS. Attempted weight loss is a common behavior, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, and weight loss goals are substantial; however, obesity remains a major public health problem in the United States.     

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.     

Self-Reported Eating Disorders of Black, Low-Income Adolescents: Behavior, Body Weight Perceptions, and Methods of Dieting

This study identified black, low-income adolescents who thought they had anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, identified behaviors common to those who thought they had the disorders, and compared their actual and perceived body weight as well as methods of dieting. Of the 1,930 students in grades 7-12 who participated, about 12% thought they might have an eating disorder. These students also reported having food-related behaviors similar to individuals with eating disorders and which differed significantly from those reported by their peers. Gender was more likely to affect food behavior than age. Though most students were within their expected weight range, those with self-reported eating disorders perceived themselves to be heavier more often than their peers and when their actual weights were compared, they were more likely to weigh more. Of those who had dieted to lose weight, fasting was the most frequently reported restrictive method used.     

Weight satisfaction and dieting practices among college males in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain baseline data regarding body mass index (BMI), weight satisfaction and weight perception in male college students. Approaches used to lose weight and characteristics of dieters were also investigated. METHODS: Written questionnaires and height and weight measurements were used to collect data. Nine-hundred thirty male college students selected by multiple stage sampling among colleges in Taiwan participated in this study. Simple frequency and ANOVA were used to analyze data. Post hoc analyses were performed with the LSD test when the F ratio for the ANOVA was significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean BMI for all subjects was 21.7. Males with a BMI < or =22.5 are considered thin by Taiwanese and world standards. Yet 34% of these males were attempting to lose weight and 14% percent perceived themselves as either overweight or obese. Exercise was the main approach to losing weight for subjects in all weight categories. Subjects in the dissatisfied/dieting group tended to measure body weight more frequently (p<0.05), spent more time exercising and reading nutrition information (p<0.05) and skipped breakfast and lunch more frequently (p<0.05) than non-dieters. Male dieters ate fewer vegetables and less meat than non-dieters. CONCLUSIONS: Male college students had frequent misconceptions and dissatisfaction with their body weight. Behavioral characteristics among those dissatisfied with their weight indicate they are at risk for developing eating disorders.     

Weight-loss strategies and beliefs in high and low socioeconomic areas of Melbourne

Abstract: Overweight is a serious health risk and is prevalent in Australia. This study explored sex, socioeconomic status and age differences in body mass index, the perceived effectiveness of weight-loss strategies and the frequency of their use, and awareness of the risks of obesity in a random sample of adult men (n = 457) and women (n = 537) from higher and lower socioeconomic areas. According to self-reports, 37 per cent of the sample were overweight or obese. More men than women, and more older than younger respondents, were overweight. There were no sex differences in the frequency of obesity. There were significantly more obese individuals in the lower than in the higher socioeconomic area. Women more frequently put themselves in a higher weight category while men more frequently put themselves in a lower weight category. Fifty-eight per cent of respondents reported the desire to lose weight and 24 per cent of the sample were trying to lose weight on the survey day; 46.9 per cent had attempted to lose weight in the previous 12 months, and these were more likely to be female, younger and obese or overweight. Only minor differences according to sex or socioeconomic status were found in beliefs about the effectiveness of different weight-loss strategies. However, older respondents were less likely to have exercised recently as a means of weight reduction. There was good recognition of diseases made worse by being overweight, although the health risk of male fat distribution patterns was not widely known.     

女大学生对肥胖认知状况及减肥行为

目的:了解女大学生对肥胖的认知状况及其减肥行为,为正确指导女大学生科学减肥和促进女大学生的身心健康提供科学依据。方法:采用身体测量、问卷调查和数理统计等方法对女大学生的体重指数、减肥行为及肥胖相关知识进行调查。结果:女大学生超重和肥胖检出率分别为13.94%和1.92%;对自身体型的判断正确率低,且多数判断具有超重或肥胖倾向;对肥胖相关知识的认知比较片面;40.09%的女大学生尝试过减肥,其中77.89%的女大学生因对自身体型不满而减肥;减肥方法主要为节食(39.30%)、运动(27.47%)和调整饮食结构(25.90%);女大学生减肥成功率仅为14.22%。结论:女大学生是不良减肥行为预防和控制的重点人群,建议在女大学生中有针对性的开展肥胖与健康知识教育以预防和控制女大学生的不良减肥行为。     

Weight-related attitudes and behaviors in fourth grade American Indian children

OBJECTIVE: American Indian children have a high prevalence of obesity, yet little is known about weight-related attitudes and the prevalence of dieting in this population. This study assessed weight concerns, body size perceptions, weight reduction attempts, and weight loss methods in fourth grade American Indian children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants (n = 304) attended one of eight schools in the Pathways Feasibility Study. Question and answer choices were read to children by trained staff, and children marked their own answers. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of the children reported that they had tried to lose weight. The most common strategy for weight reduction was exercising more. Girls were more likely than boys to be dissatisfied with their body size (48% of girls vs. 34% of boys desired a slimmer body size; 22% of girls vs. 15% of boys desired a larger body size; p<0.001). Children who had tried to lose weight were more likely to indicate that the size they most desired and the most healthy size were smaller than their perceived size (p<0.001). Children who reported trying to lose weight were also more likely to want to be skinnier and to be unhappy about their weight than were children who did not report trying to lose weight (p<0.001 for both). DISCUSSION: We conclude that weight loss attempts and weight-related concerns are prevalent in American Indian children at a young age.     

Attempting to lose weight: specific practices among U.S. adults

BACKGROUND: Americans spend over $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services. Although weight-control methods are of considerable public health interest, few national data on weight-loss practices are available. This paper examines the prevalence of specific weight-loss practices among U.S. adults trying to lose weight. METHODS: Data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey, which was conducted through face-to-face interviews of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (n =32,440), were analyzed in 2003. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of men and 38% of women were trying to lose weight. Attempting weight loss was less common among normal weight (body mass index [BMI]<25 kg/m(2)) people (6% men, 24% women) than overweight (BMI>/=25 to 30 kg/m(2)) people (28%, 49%) or obese (BMI>/=30 kg/m(2)) people (50%, 58%). Among those trying to lose weight, the most common strategies were eating fewer calories (58% men, 63% women); eating less fat (49%, 56%); and exercising more (54%, 52%). Less frequent strategies were skipping meals (11% men, 9% women); eating food supplements (5%, 6%); joining a weight-loss program (3%, 5%); taking diet pills (2%, 3%); taking water pills or diuretics (1%, 2%); or fasting for >/=24 hours (0.6%, 0.7%). Only one third of all those trying to lose weight reported eating fewer calories and exercising more. CONCLUSIONS: Increased efforts are needed among all those trying to lose weight to promote effective strategies for weight loss, including the use of calorie reduction and increased physical activity.     

Public awareness of the abuse of herbs and drugs to decrease body weight: a novel national survey in Jordan

Objectives  The aim of this investigation was to measure the degree of public preferences regarding the various weight-loss practices and to assess the level of awareness regarding the risks and health hazards associated with the application of unhealthful measures to lose weight. Methods  Approximately 30,000 individuals selected from various regions in Jordan filled in a self−reported questionnaire. Participants were interviewed by well–trained senior pharmacy students and were asked to report their response to various aspects regarding body weight-loss practices. Results  Of the respondents, 74.55% agreed that dietary restriction is the major intervention to lose weight. A modest majority of respondents (39.09%) believed that nervousness and irritability are serious drawbacks for uncontrolled administration of the hormone thyroxine. The highest percentage of responding females (67.12%) reported diarrhea as a major adverse effect to laxative abuse. Discussion  The availability and the number of adverse events associated with herbal and dietary supplements to lose weight are on the rise. Obese patients should consider realistic expectations and be encouraged to follow healthy lifestyle interventions. Health care professionals are best suited to educate obese patients about unhealthy practices like laxative and diuretic abuse.     

Gender differences in body weight perception and weight-loss strategies of college students

Gender differences in college students' perceptions and satisfaction with body weight were examined. Females tended to perceive themselves as overweight when they were not, failed to see themselves as underweight when they were, and many of those who did not see themselves as even slightly overweight wanted to lose weight. Although males reported some dissatisfaction with their bodies, they tended to want to gain rather than lose weight. Females dieted more frequently than did males, and nearly one-third of the females reported either self-induced vomiting or laxative use as a weight-loss strategy. The relationship between social pressure for female slenderness, dieting, and eating disorders are discussed.     

Body weight preoccupation in middle-age and ageing women: A general population survey

Objective and methods: The desired weights and dieting behavior of a sample of 1,053 women aged 30–74 years in the general population of Geneva, Switzerland, were explored by means of a questionnaire. Multivariate analyses of variance were performed. Results: Twenty-five percent of the women were satisfied with their weight, whereas 71% wanted to be thinner, although 73% of them were at normal weight. Among women older than 65 years, 62% wanted to lose weight, 65% of them being at normal weight. For women wanting to lose weight, mean desired weight loss amounted to 9% of their current weight. Weight dissatisfaction increased with higher education (p < .001), and with increasing current weight (p < .001). Within the last 5 years, 42% of the women had dieted for weight control, including 67% at normal weight. Thirty-one percent of the women older than 65 years had also dieted, 62% of them being at normal weight. Discussion: A majority of middle-age and ageing women in this general population sample expressed dissatisfaction about their weight. Many attempted dieting, even when they were at normal weight. Considering the vulnerability of the elderly to nutritional deficiencies, dieting to lose weight in normal weight ageing women should be discouraged or closely monitored. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 23:287–294, 1998.     

Prevalence of weight-loss strategies and use of substances for weight-loss among adults: a population study

This paper concerns a cross-sectional population-based study conducted with adults living in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. It aims to determine the prevalence of weight-loss practices and use of substances for weight-loss during the 12 months preceding the interview. The prevalence of weight-loss attempts was 26.6%. Although dietary control and regular physical exercise were the most commonly used strategies, the prevalence of the combined use of these methods was only 36% for individuals trying to lose weight. The prevalence of use of substances for weight-loss was 12.8% (48.4% of those who tried to lose weight). The use of dietary control and substances was more common among women, while men practiced physical exercise with greater frequency. Teas were the most frequently used substances for weight-loss. Multivariate analysis identified being female, excess weight and self-perception of excess weight as major associated factors for the use of substances for weight-loss. Finally, we found that, although weight-loss attempts are common, the majority of obese individuals do not make attempts to lose weight and only a minority follows the recommended practices.     

Gender Differences in Body Weight Perception and Weight-Loss Strategies of College Students

Gender differences in college students' perceptions and satisfaction with body weight were examined. Females tended to perceivev themselves as overweight when they were not, failed to see themselves as underweight when they were, and many of those who did not see themselves as even slightly overweight wanted to lose weight. Although males reported some dissatisfaction with their bodies, they tended to want to gain rather than lose weight. Females dieted more frequently than did males, and nearly one-third of the females reported either self-induced vomiting or laxative use as a weight-loss strategy. The relationship between social pressure for female slenderness, dieting, and eating disorders are discussed.