Prevalence and correlates of dieting in college women: a cross sectional study

Sexual assault predicts unhealthy weight management among college women: A longitudinal, prospective study

Objective: To examine whether sexual assault prospectively predicts unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women. Method: Participants were female college students (N = 483) with monthly assessments across the first year, including the frequency and severity of sexual assault and unhealthy weight management behaviors. Results: Frequency of sexual assault prior to college predicted dieting, purging, and diet pill use, over the first year. Severity of those experiences predicted dieting and diet pill use. Frequency of sexual assault during the first semester predicted purging and diet pill use during the second semester. Severity predicted all three unhealthy weight management behaviors. Findings held consistently when controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and pre-college mood, anxiety, and eating disorders, as well as unhealthy weight management behaviors during the first semester in longitudinal analyses. Reverse models were non-significant. Conclusions: This research documents the detrimental effects of sexual assault on unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women, and highlights the importance of prevention and intervention.

A qualitative analysis of college women's experiences with dieting

OBJECTIVE

Dieting is a known risk factor for disordered eating, yet many college women engage in this behavior. Given the popularity of diets, and the risks associated with dieting, it is important to enhance understanding of dieters' experiences. This study utilized a qualitative approach to investigate college women's experiences of dieting.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-four woman-identifying undergraduates [42% White, 24% Asian, 20% Black, 14% other; Mage = 19.18 (1.77)] who endorsed dieting were included in the study.

METHODS

Participants provided short-answer responses to open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

The following themes were identified: A complicated relationship, variability of experiences, and social factors. Subthemes highlighted the complexity of college women's dieting behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Results provide important insight into college women's dieting experiences and their consequences. Future qualitative research should aim to understand how to apply these findings to eating disorder prevention efforts.

University students' perception of their dietary behavior through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic: a phenomenological approach

PURPOSE

The COVID-19 pandemic mandates that were imposed to curb the spread of disease may have triggered unhealthy dietary behaviors among university students. The current study aims at exploring university students' perception of their dietary behaviors through the course of the pandemic.

METHODS

The qualitative study is designed using a phenomenological framework. Using convenience and snowball sampling, nine university students were recruited in southeast Texas. Interviews were conducted using an interview guide after receiving verbal consent. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes were identified. Initially, an increase in consumption of home-cooked meals and frequency of snacking were reported which were associated with emotions including boredom, stress, and homesickness. However, as the students adapted to the pandemic, the frequency of dining and restaurant food consumption increased.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the urgency for educational institutions to be well-equipped in terms of nutrition assistance during times of crisis.

Vitamin B12 status among asymptomatic young adult females and its association with some anthropometric and biochemical parameters: A cross-sectional study from Makkah (cobalamin deficiency in young adult females)

This study was designed to measure the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency among young adult females in Makkah City and study its correlation with some anthropometric and biochemical indicators. A cross-sectional study and a detailed questionnaire were used to collect information from 402 young women aged 19 to 22 years, who were university students. Moreover, dietary assessments using a validated food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were performed. The mean values of serum vitamin B12, serum folate, hemoglobin, and body mass index (BMI) were 343.29 ± 148.16 pg/mL, 12.72 ± 2.62 ng/mL, 12.69 ± 1.41 g/dL, and 22.64 ± 4.24 kg/m2, respectively. About three-quarters of the study sample had normal vitamin B12 levels, while the rest had vitamin B12 deficiency. Meanwhile, a significant negative association (r = -0.201, P = .048) was found between abdominal fat and serum vitamin B12 levels. This study concluded that the young adult females' population from Makkah City is among the risk groups for vitamin B12 deficiency, which is highly correlated with inappropriate values of weight, body fat, and some blood indices. Appropriate dietary interventions and awareness are needed for this population.

Effect of diet-induced weight loss on iron status and its markers among young women with overweight/obesity and iron deficiency anemia: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Obesity and iron deficiency are prevalent health problems that affect billions of people all over the world. Obesity is postulated to relate to iron deficiency via reduced intestinal iron absorption due to increased serum hepcidin level, which is mediated by chronic inflammation. Weight loss in individuals with overweight or obesity and iron deficiency anemia is believed to be associated with an improvement in iron status however the evidence from clinical trials is scarce. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of diet-induced weight loss on iron status and its markers among young women with overweight/obesity and iron deficiency anemia.

Methods

The study design was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms (weight loss intervention vs control). Study participants were recruited using the convenience sampling method through public advertisements posted and disseminated through social media. Interested and potential participants were asked to visit the Diet Clinic for eligibility screening. A total of 62 women were recruited and randomized into weight loss intervention and control group. The intervention duration was three months. The intervention group received individual consultation sessions with the dietitian and tailored energy-restricted diets. Physical activity levels, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements and clinical markers were measured at baseline and end of the trial.

Results

There was a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in body weight of the intervention group (-7.4 ± 2.7 kg) that was associated with significant improvements in iron status and its markers (p < 0.01). The intervention group experienced a significant increase in hemoglobin (0.5 ± 0.6 g/dL), serum ferritin (5.6 ± 5.8 ng/mL), and serum iron (13.0 ± 16.2 µg/dL), and a significant decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-5.2 ± 5.6 mg/L), and serum hepcidin level (-1.9 ± 2.2 ng/mL) at the end of the trial.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that diet-induced weight loss among participants was associated with an improvement in iron status and its related clinical markers.

Clinical Trial Registration

[https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20221009001], identifier [TCTR20221009001].

Understanding the relationship between interpersonal trauma and disordered eating: An extension of the model of psychological adaptation

OBJECTIVE

Interpersonal trauma is a nonspecific risk factor for disordered eating (DE). Studies have begun to examine mechanisms that explain the relationship; however, few have tested comprehensive theoretical models. The Model of Psychological Adaptation (McCann, Sakheim, & Abrahamson, 1988) posits that trauma exposure results in core schema disruptions that are associated with varying psychological response patterns, or psychological adaptations, that are also established predictors of DE, such as interpersonal and affective problems. The model has been successfully applied to symptoms of other psychological disorders, such as PTSD and depression, but has not previously been extended to predict DE. The current study addressed this gap in the literature by assessing an extension of the Model of Psychological Adaptation to DE.

METHOD

A sample of 371 undergraduate women completed an online survey.

RESULTS

Using structural equation modeling, the results of the current study demonstrated positive fit for a model that represents the extension of the Model of Psychological Adaptation to DE.

CONCLUSION

These findings corroborate the link between interpersonal trauma and DE, thus demonstrating the potential importance of assessing for DE symptoms among clients who have survived interpersonal trauma and attending to trauma history among clients who have DE. In addition, it highlights mechanisms that may be relevant to the conceptualization and treatment of DE among survivors of interpersonal trauma. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The relationship between the risk of eating disorder and meal patterns in University students

PURPOSE

This study was carried out to evaluate the relation between meal patterns and the risk of eating disorders in university students.

METHODS

The study was conducted on a total of 331 volunteer students with a mean age of 22.08 ± 1.80 years, 56.5% female. Participants' sociodemographic characteristics, health information and eating habits like meal skipping and dieting were questioned. Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) Eating Disorders Scale and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were used to determine eating behavior disorders, with face to face interviews by the researches.

RESULTS

A significant correlation was found between dieting and skipping meals and the risk of eating disorders in both genders (p < 0.05). In addition, when the reasons for skipping meals were questioned, a significant relationship was detected between skipping meals and eating behaviour disorders by 3.285 times (p = 0.000). Also, every unit of increase in body mass index (BMI) values of individuals who participated to the study led to an increase in eating disorders by a factor of 1.262 (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support concerns about the negative health effects of increasing overweight among university students in accordance with the data that the increase in BMI values led to an increase in eating disorders. Notably a significant correlation was found between dieting, skipping meals and the risk of eating disorders in both genders it is highlighting the need for monitoring and early diagnosis of eating disorders in youth with simple scales like SCOFF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

French validation of the addiction-like eating behavior scale and its clinical implication

PURPOSE

The first conception of food addiction (FA) as substance addiction, measured by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), is controversial. Some proposed that FA would be better conceptualized with a behavioral approach. In accordance with this conceptualization, Ruddock and colleagues published a new self-reported scale for food addiction, the Addiction-like Eating Behavior Scale (AEBS). Overall, preliminary validation of the scale demonstrated good psychometric properties with a community sample. The aim of the present study is twofold, to validate the French-Canadian version of the AEBS with a community sample and to examine how well the instrument fits into a clinical sample with overweight/obesity.

METHODS

A community sample (N = 466) and a clinical sample with overweight/obesity seeking help for their eating difficulties (N = 126) completed an online survey regarding FA, binge eating, dietary restraint, depression, and BMI. Factor analysis, internal consistency, and construct validity were assessed.

RESULTS

With the community sample, factorial structure, and psychometric properties of the AEBS were replicated. With the clinical sample, proper convergent validity was demonstrated with the YFAS 2.0 and binge eating, and proper divergent validity was demonstrated with dietary restraint. Among the clinical sample, AEBS explain similar variance of BMI and depression level when compared to YFAS 2.0.

CONCLUSION

This study provided evidence that the French-Canadian version of the AEBS is a valid measure of food addiction, but it did not permit to establish advantages over YFAS 2.0 with a clinical sample. Clinical implications of the AEBS and FA characteristic are discussed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Personal trainers' health advice in the fitness gym space from a gender perspective

Purpose: This study aimed to describe and problematize the advice on exercise and diet that personal trainers (PTs) provide to their clients from a gender perspective.Method: The present study had an explorative design, and the interviews were analysed using an interpretative qualitative approach. Seven focus group discussions were conducted with 19 PTs (aged 23-47 years).Results: The findings indicated that the PTs had a gender-neutral health advice approach to both women and men, guiding them towards a relaxed attitude to exercise and diet, prioritizing and rationalizing their exercise and diet and eating a natural diet. PTs also had a gendered health advice approach as regards women who showed unhealthy exercise and eating behaviours; advising them to eat more and exercise less, to focus on performance rather than appearance and to avoid heavy weightlifting. Some PTs acted evasively and did not give advice to men.Conclusions: Both approaches include advice that reflect health as control and health as release. From a gender perspective, PTs health advice both challenged and reproduced the stereotypical male norm in the fitness gym space. However, PTs gendered health advice may create different opportunities for men and women to promote their health and well-being in the fitness gym.

Homeostatic regulation of reward via synaptic insertion of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors in nucleus accumbens

The incentive effects of food and related cues are determined by stimulus properties and the internal state of the organism. Enhanced hedonic reactivity and incentive motivation in energy deficient subjects have been demonstrated in animal models and humans. Defining the neurobiological underpinnings of these state-based modulatory effects could illuminate fundamental mechanisms of adaptive behavior, as well as provide insight into maladaptive consequences of weight loss dieting and the relationship between disturbed eating behavior and substance abuse. This article summarizes research of our laboratory aimed at identifying neuroadaptations induced by chronic food restriction (FR) that increase the reward magnitude of drugs and associated cues. The main findings are that FR decreases basal dopamine (DA) transmission, upregulates signaling downstream of the D1 DA receptor (D1R), and triggers synaptic incorporation of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Selective antagonism of CP-AMPARs decreases excitatory postsynaptic currents in NAc medium spiny neurons of FR rats and blocks the enhanced rewarding effects of d-amphetamine and a D1R, but not a D2R, agonist. These results suggest that FR drives CP-AMPARs into the synaptic membrane of D1R-expressing MSNs, possibly as a homeostatic response to reward loss. FR subjects also display diminished aversion for contexts associated with LiCl treatment and centrally infused cocaine. An encompassing, though speculative, hypothesis is that NAc synaptic incorporation of CP-AMPARs in response to food scarcity and other forms of sustained reward loss adaptively increases incentive effects of reward stimuli and, at the same time, diminishes responsiveness to aversive stimuli that have potential to interfere with goal pursuit.

Food Involvement, Eating Restrictions and Dietary Patterns in Polish Adults: Expected Effects of Their Relationships (LifeStyle Study)

Understanding the factors that coexist with healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors is prevalent and important for public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between food involvement, eating restrictions, and dietary patterns in a representative sample of Polish adults. The study was conducted among a group of 1007 adults. Questions with the answers yes or no were used to obtain the data regarding eating restrictions. Data relating to food involvement were obtained with the Food Involvement Scale (FIS). Questions from the Beliefs and Eating Habits questionnaire were used to measure the frequency of consumption of different food groups. Five dietary patterns (DPs) were derived using principal component analysis (PCA), i.e., 'Fruit and vegetables', 'Wholemeal food', 'Fast foods and sweets', 'Fruit and vegetable juices' and "Meat and meat products'. In each of the DPs, three groups of participants were identified based on tertile distribution with the upper tertile denoting the most frequent consumption. Nearly two-thirds of the study sample declared some restrictions in food consumption. The probability of implementing restrictions in consumption of foods high in sugar, fat and high-fat foods increased in the upper tertile of 'Fruit and vegetables' and 'Wholemeal' DPs. Moreover, the probability of implementing restrictions in consumption of meat and high-starch products increased in 'Wholemeal' DP. The probability of using eating restrictions decreased in the upper tertile of 'Fast foods and sweets' and Meat and meat products' DPs. In conclusion, individuals characterized by high food involvement were more inclined to use eating restrictions than individuals with lower food involvement. Their DPs were also healthier compared to those of individuals manifesting low food involvement. Therefore, promoting personal commitment to learning about and experiencing food may be an effective way of inducing a change of eating habits, and therefore a healthier diet.

Red for "Stop": "Traffic-Light" Nutrition Labels Decrease Unhealthy Food Choices by Increasing Activity and Connectivity in the Frontal Lobe

Food labels comprise a national health-intervention policy that informs consumers of food-product nutritional value. Previous evidence has indicated that, compared to a purely numeric guideline-daily-amount label, a traffic-light-inspired, color-coded label more effectively conveys the nutritional level and increases the selection of healthier products. Therefore, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess the mechanism whereby traffic-light and guideline-daily-amount labels influence food-related decision-making. Forty-four female dieters (age, mean = 20.0, standard deviation = 1.45 years) were recruited to participate in a food-choice task; healthy or unhealthy food options were presented with color-coded traffic-light or purely numeric guideline-daily-amount labels, and the participants were asked to state their preference. We found that, compared with the guideline-daily-amount label, a salient, red traffic-light label potentially reduced unhealthy food-related decision-making and activated the superior medial frontal gyrus and the supplementary motor area, which are implicated in the execution of responses and motor inhibition. For the same stimulus contrast, we also found increased activation in the anterior cingulate cortex, which is associated with salient information monitoring. Finally, we found stronger functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex and inhibitory regions (inferior and middle frontal gyri) under red-traffic-light than under guideline-daily-amount label conditions. These results suggest that traffic-light-inspired labels may be a more effective means of public-policy intervention than are numeric labels conveying guideline daily amounts.

Atoning Past Indulgences: Oral Consumption and Moral Compensation

Previous research has shown that moral failures increase compensatory behaviors, such as prosociality and even self-punishment, because they are strategies to re-establish one's positive moral self-image. Do similar compensatory behaviors result from violations in normative eating practices? Three experiments explored the moral consequences of recalling instances of perceived excessive food consumption. In Experiment 1 we showed that women recalling an overeating (vs. neutral) experience reported more guilt and a desire to engage in prosocial behavior in the form of so-called self-sacrificing. In Experimental 2 this logic was applied to actual spontaneous helping behaviors toward an experimenter, with participants who recalled an overeating (vs. neutral) experience exhibiting more such helping in the laboratory. Experimental 3 expanded the investigation to self-inflicted pain: overeating (vs. neutral) recall led to higher levels of self-punishment as indicted by longer time periods spent engaging in the cold pressor task. In sum, failures in normative food consumption can be viewed as moral transgressions that elicits both interpersonal and intrapersonal compensatory behaviors aimed at restoring a positive moral self-image.

Association of anthropometric status, perceived stress, and personality traits with eating behavior in university students

PURPOSE

We investigated the association of anthropometric status, perceived stress, and personality traits with eating behavior in university students.

METHODS

The participants, 1546 Japanese university students (964 males, 582 females), completed a questionnaire which asked for their current height and weight, ideal height and weight, eating behaviors, perceived stress, and personality traits.

RESULTS

Restrained eating was higher in normal-weight participants compared with underweight participants in both males and females (p < 0.001, both males and females). Restrained eating in normal-weight males was significantly lower in normal-weight females (p < 0.001). In addition, normal-weight males reported less stress than normal-weight females (anxiety/uncertainty, p = 0.037; tiredness/physical responses, p < 0.001; autonomic symptoms, p < 0.001; depression/feeling, p < 0.001) and underweight males (tiredness/physical responses, p = 0.018; autonomic symptoms, p = 0.001). Moreover, among normal-weight males, neuroticism was significantly lower compared with normal-weight females (p < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, male participants revealed positive association between restrained eating and body mass index (β = 0.199, p < 0.001) or body mass index difference (β = - 0.170, p = 0.001). In contrast, female revealed more significant associations between emotional and external eating and perceived stress or personality traits compared with males.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that associations between eating behavior and anthropometric status or psychological factors are different by each eating behavior, which is partly influenced by gender difference.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Dietary patterns of university students in the UK: a cross-sectional study

Background

University represents a key transition into adulthood for many adolescents but there are associated concerns about health and behaviours. One important aspect relates to diet and there is emerging evidence that university students may consume poor quality diets, with potential implications for body weight and long-term health. This research aimed to characterise dietary patterns of university students in the UK and their sociodemographic and lifestyle antecedents.

Methods

An online, cross-sectional survey was undertaken with a convenience sample of 1448 university students from five UK universities (King’s College London, Universities of St Andrews, Southampton and Sheffield, and Ulster University). The survey comprised a validated food frequency questionnaire alongside lifestyle and sociodemographic questions. Dietary patterns were generated from food frequency intake data using principal components analysis. Nutrient intakes were estimated to characterise the nutrient profile of each dietary pattern. Associations with sociodemographic variables were assessed through general linear modelling.

Results

Dietary analyses revealed four major dietary patterns: ‘vegetarian’; ‘snacking’; ‘health-conscious’; and ‘convenience, red meat & alcohol’. The ‘health-conscious’ pattern had the most favourable micronutrient profile. Students’ gender, age, year of study, geographical location and cooking ability were associated with differences in pattern behaviour. Female students favoured the ‘vegetarian’ pattern, whilst male students preferred the ‘convenience, red meat & alcohol’ pattern. Less healthful dietary patterns were positively associated with lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, low physical activity and take-away consumption. The health-conscious pattern had greatest nutrient density. The ‘convenience, red meat & alcohol’ pattern was associated with higher weekly food spending; this pattern was also identified most consistently across universities. Students reporting greater cooking ability tended towards the ‘vegetarian’ and ‘health-conscious’ patterns.

Conclusions

Food intake varied amongst university students. A substantial proportion of students followed health-promoting diets, which had good nutrient profiles obviating a need for dietary intervention. However, some students consumed poor diets, incurred greater food costs and practised unfavourable lifestyle behaviours, which may have long-term health effects. University policy to improve students’ diets should incorporate efforts to promote student engagement in cooking and food preparation, and increased availability of low cost healthier food items.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12937-018-0398-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Maternal and child dietary intake: The role of maternal healthy-eater self-schema

BACKGROUND

Mothers play a key role in shaping the dietary intake of their young children through their own dietary intake and the foods they make available at home. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying maternal food choices is crucial. Cognitions about the self as a healthy eater, referred to as healthy-eater self-schema (HESS), predict dietary intake in diverse samples, but the linkage has not been investigated in mothers and their feeding behaviors. This study examined the relationship between a maternal HESS, maternal and child intake of fruits, vegetables, saturated fat, and added sugar, and home food availability.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used with mothers and their 2-5 year old children (N = 124 dyads). Kendzierski's Healthy-Eater Self-Schema questionnaire was used to measure HESS. Block Food Frequency Screeners were used to measure diets (mother and child) and the Home Environment Survey was used to measure home availability of fruits/vegetables and fats/sweets. Multiple regression and multiple mediation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Maternal HESS was positively associated with maternal intake of fruits and vegetables, and negatively associated with intake of added sugar. Maternal HESS was not directly associated with child dietary intake, but was indirectly associated with child intake of fruits, vegetables, and added sugar through maternal intake of the same foods. Home food availability was not significantly associated with HESS.

CONCLUSION

This study found that a mother's HESS was positively associated with her diet, which was subsequently associated with aspects of her child's diet. Interventions to foster development of HESS in mothers may be an effective means to promote healthy dietary intake in mothers and their young children.

Intrinsic brain subsystem associated with dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger: an fMRI study

Eating behaviors are closely related to body weight, and eating traits are depicted in three dimensions: dietary restraint, disinhibition, and hunger. The current study aims to explore whether these aspects of eating behaviors are related to intrinsic brain activation, and to further investigate the relationship between the brain activation relating to these eating traits and body weight, as well as the link between function connectivity (FC) of the correlative brain regions and body weight. Our results demonstrated positive associations between dietary restraint and baseline activation of the frontal and the temporal regions (i.e., food reward encoding) and the limbic regions (i.e., homeostatic control, including the hypothalamus). Disinhibition was positively associated with the activation of the frontal motivational system (i.e., OFC) and the premotor cortex. Hunger was positively related to extensive activations in the prefrontal, temporal, and limbic, as well as in the cerebellum. Within the brain regions relating to dietary restraint, weight status was negatively correlated with FC of the left middle temporal gyrus and left inferior temporal gyrus, and was positively associated with the FC of regions in the anterior temporal gyrus and fusiform visual cortex. Weight status was positively associated with the FC within regions in the prefrontal motor cortex and the right ACC serving inhibition, and was negatively related with the FC of regions in the frontal cortical-basal ganglia-thalamic circuits responding to hunger control. Our data depicted an association between intrinsic brain activation and dietary restraint, disinhibition, and hunger, and presented the links of their activations and FCs with weight status.

Association between Haem and Non-Haem Iron Intake and Serum Ferritin in Healthy Young Women

Iron is an essential micronutrient for human health and inadequate intake may result in iron deficiency (ID) or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Unlike other recent studies investigating iron status in young women, this cross-sectional study analysed dietary intake and biochemical data from healthy young (18-35 years) women (n = 299) to determine the association between both haem iron (HI) and non-haem iron (NHI) intakes and serum ferritin (SF). Dietary restraint and possible inflammation secondary to obesity were also measured and accounted for, and energy intake was adjusted for using the residuals method. Independent samples t-tests and chi-squared tests were performed, and factors found to be significantly different between iron replete (IR) and ID/IDA participants were analysed using general linear modelling. ID/IDA participants consumed significantly lower total energy than iron replete (IR) (p = 0.003). Lower energy intake was also associated with higher levels of dietary restraint (p = 0.001). Both HI and NHI were positively associated with SF with HI was found to be a stronger predictor (β = 0.128, p = 0.009) than NHI (β = 0.037, p = 0.028). The study demonstrates that intake of both HI and NHI, as well as adequate dietary energy, are associated with normal iron status levels in young women, and that restrained eaters may be at greater risk of low iron status.

Stress and psychological constructs related to eating behavior are associated with anthropometry and body composition in young adults

BACKGROUND

The transition to college is associated with weight gain, but the relation between eating behavior indicators and anthropometric outcomes during this period remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate sex differences in stress, emotional eating, tendency to overeat, and restrained eating behavior, and determine whether the psycho-behavioral constructs assessed immediately prior to starting college are associated with anthropometry and adiposity at the start of college, and with first-semester weight gain.

METHODS

A prospective study administered the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), Satter Eating Competence Inventory, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to 264 participants one month before college. Body composition was assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the start of college, and anthropometry (weight, height, waist circumference [WC]) was collected at the beginning and end of the first semester. Ordinary least squares regression tested the cross-sectional association of baseline psychological and behavioral scales with baseline DXA and anthropometry, and the longitudinal association with change in anthropometry.

RESULTS

Among 264 participants, 91% (241) had baseline data, and 66% (173) completed follow-up. In sex-adjusted linear regression models, baseline TFEQ disinhibited and emotional (DE; EE) eating sub-scales were positively associated with baseline weight (P = 0.003; DE, P = 0.014; EE), body mass index (BMI, P = 0.002; DE, P = 0.001; EE), WC (P = 0.004; DE, P = 0.006; EE) and DXA fat mass index (P = 0.023; DE, P = 0.014; EE). Baseline PSS was positively associated with subsequent changes in weight and WC among males only (P_interaction = 0.0268 and 0.0017 for weight and WC, respectively).

CONCLUSION

College freshmen with questionnaire scores indicating a greater tendency to overeat in response to external cues and emotions tended to have greater weight, BMI, and WC at the start of college. Males with higher perceived stress at college entrance subsequently gained significantly more weight in the first semester, but no such relation was evident in females.

Applying Objectification Theory to the Relationship Between Sexual Victimization and Disordered Eating

There is an established relationship between sexual victimization (SV) and disordered eating (DE); however, few theory-based studies exist that adequately examine this relationship. Previous research on objectification theory has insufficiently tested the theory’s application to extreme objectifying experiences such as SV. To address this gap in the literature, we evaluated objectification theory as a means for clarifying the relationship between SV and DE. Specifically, we examined how self-surveillance, a proxy for self-objectification, and two of its psychological correlates, body shame and interoceptive deficits, may clarify the association between SV and DE. Participants were 389 undergraduate women. Path analysis of the model largely supports the application of objectification theory to this relationship but also suggests potential modifications to the theory. Further, the extent to which SV may be uniquely related to DE, above and beyond everyday objectification (e.g., leering, unwanted sexual comments), was explored. Implications are discussed.

Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters

Background

Female university students are at risk for weight gain and use of inappropriate weight-loss strategies. By gaining a greater understanding of the weight-loss strategies used by and weight management related characteristics of these students, effective weight management interventions for this vulnerable group can be developed.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty female students from South Africa universities, aged 18–25 years, participated in this cross-sectional study; 162 attempted weight loss during the year preceding the study (dieters) and 88 were non-dieters. Weight and height were measured and BMI (kg/m²) computed. A self-administered questionnaire was used to record all other variables. Weight loss strategies were described for dieters and compared between BMI groups within the dieters group. Weight management related characteristics were compared between dieters and non-dieters. Statistical tests included Pearson Chi-square test, independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test (depending on distribution of the data). Predictors for a higher BMI and being overweight/obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) were identified using regression models.

Results

Healthy weight-loss strategies included increased exercise and fruit/vegetable intake and decreased intake of sugar and fat containing items; unhealthy methods included eating little food and skipping meals; and extreme weight loss strategies included laxatives and vomiting. The most commonly used weight-loss product was Herbex. Dieters were characterized by a higher BMI, overestimation of their weight (especially normal weight students), dissatisfaction with weight and select body parts, higher intake of breakfast and healthy foods, lower intake of unhealthy foods, higher levels of vigorous physical activity, higher use of select informal weight-loss information sources and experiencing more pressure to lose weight from mothers, siblings and friends. Predictors of higher BMI and/or increased risk for BMI ≥25 included weight-loss attempt during the past year, race, dissatisfaction with waist, perception of currently being “chubby,” and higher frequencies of intake of a snack and fatty foods.

Conclusion

Attempting weight-loss is common among female students and predicts BMI. Healthy (mainly), unhealthy and extreme weight loss methods are used. Dieters are characterized by a less realistic body image, lower body satisfaction, higher pressure to lose weight, use of informal weight-management information and a healthier life-style.

"Stop eating lollies and do lots of sports": a prospective qualitative study of the development of children's awareness of dietary restraint and exercise to lose weight

BACKGROUND

Beliefs surrounding the usefulness of dietary restriction and physical activity as means of body shape and size modification is already present in children as young as 5-years-old, and these beliefs may increase the risk of unhealthy weight control behaviours later in life. To date, however, little is known regarding the development of these beliefs in younger children. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to explore young (aged 3- to 5-years old) children's conceptualisations of dietary restriction and physical activity as means to change body size using a prospective approach.

METHODS

A sample of 259 children (116 boys, 143 girls) participated in interviews at 3-, 4- and 5-years-old. Participants were shown silhouette figures of a child of their gender and age. Their responses to questions regarding how the figure could return to a previous thinner shape were qualitatively coded using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Children's responses revealed that while, for a subsample, modifications of food, eating, and exercise patterns were the most salient ideas, a number of other mechanisms of body change were also suggested. Responses also evidenced adoption or awareness of stigmatising attitudes towards overweight individuals (over 15% by age 5). The proportion of children demonstrating an awareness of dietary restriction and physical exercise as methods for body size change increased significantly at each time point. While only 4.2% demonstrated dieting awareness at 3-years-old, this proportion had risen to almost 28% by 5-years-old (p < .001). Similarly, the proportion of children aware of exercise as a body change strategy rose from 2.3 to 16.3% (p < .001), with 22% of 5-year-olds mentioning general physical activity as a strategy. No gender differences were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of dietary restriction and physical exercise as strategies for weight loss and body change emerges as young as 3-years-old, and significantly increases from 3- to 5-years-old. Interventions aiming to promote healthy means of weight control and obesity prevention should consider that certain attitudes may already be present in very young children.

Narcissism as a moderator of satisfaction with body image in young women with extreme underweight and obesity

Objective

Body weight and age constitute main determinants of body image in women. We analyzed the role of narcissism as a moderator of body image in young women representing various extremes of body weight.

Methods

The study included 325 women between 18 and 35 years, qualified into three BMI categories: obese women (BMI > 30.0, n = 72), severely underweight women who did not satisfy the remaining criteria of anorexia (BMI < 17.5, n = 85), and women with normal body weight (21.7 < “ideal BMI” > 22.7, n = 168). Satisfaction with body image was determined with Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire and Body Esteem Scale, while narcissism was measured with Narcissistic Personality Inventory.

Principal Findings

We revealed that narcissism has significant impact on the body image of women who are extremely underweight or obese. Vanity and Leadership were narcissism dimensions which played significant role in slim women, as compared to Vanity and Self-Sufficiency in obese women.

Conclusion

The role of narcissism as a modulator of self-satisfaction with one’s body varies depending on BMI level: extremely underweight women and obese individuals constitute groups in which narcissism has the strongest impact on the self-satisfaction with body.

Micronutrient status in female university students: iron, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin B12 and folate

Young women are at an increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly due to higher micronutrient requirements during childbearing years and multiple food group avoidances. The objective of this study was to investigate biomarkers of particular micronutrients in apparently healthy young women. Female students (n = 308; age range 18-35 year; Body Mass Index 21.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2; mean ± SD) were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were obtained from participants in the fasted state and analysed for biomarkers of iron status, vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine, selenium, zinc, and copper. The results show iron deficiency anaemia, unspecified anaemia, and hypoferritinemia in 3%, 7% and 33.9% of participants, respectively. Low vitamin B12 concentrations (<120 pmol/L) were found in 11.3% of participants, while 4.7% showed sub-clinical deficiency based on serum methylmalonic acid concentrations >0.34 μmol/L. Folate concentrations below the reference range were observed in 1.7% (serum) or 1% (erythrocytes) of participants, and 99.7% of the participant had erythrocyte-folate concentrations >300 nmol/L. Serum zinc concentrations <10.7 μmol/L were observed in 2% of participants. Serum copper and selenium concentrations were below the reference range in 23% and 11% of participants, respectively. Micronutrient deficiencies including iron and vitamin B12, and apparent excess of folate are present in educated Australian female students of childbearing age, including those studying nutrition. The effects of dietary behaviours and food choices on markers of micronutrient status require further investigation.

Activation in inhibitory brain regions during food choice correlates with temptation strength and self-regulatory success in weight-concerned women

Food choices constitute a classic self-control dilemma involving the trade-off between immediate eating enjoyment and the long term goal of being slim and healthy, especially for weight-concerned women. For them, decision-making concerning high (HE) and low energy (LE) snacks differs when it comes to the need for self-control. In line, our first study aim was to investigate which brain regions are activated during food choices during HE compared to LE energy snacks in weight-concerned women. Since it is particularly difficult to resist HE snacks when they are very tasty, our second aim was to investigate in which brain regions choice-related activation varies with the food's tastiness. Our third aim was to assess in which brain regions choice-related activation varies with individual differences in self-regulatory success. To this end, 20 weight-concerned women indicated for 100 HE or LE snacks whether they wanted to eat them or not, while their brains were scanned using fMRI. HE snacks were refused more often than equally-liked LE snacks. HE snack choice elicited stronger activation in reward-related brain regions [medial to middle orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), caudate]. Highly tasty HE snacks were more difficult to resist and, accordingly, activation in inhibitory areas (inferior frontal gyrus, lateral OFC) was negatively associated with tastiness. More successful self-controllers showed increased activation in the supplementary motor area during HE food choices. In sum, the results suggest that HE snacks constitute a higher reward for weight-concerned women compared to (equally-liked) LE snacks, and that activation during food choice in brain regions involved in response inhibition varied with tastiness and individual differences in self-regulatory success. These findings advance our understanding of the neural correlates of food choice and point to new avenues for investigating explanations for self-regulatory failure.

Inclusion of pork meat in the diets of young women reduces their intakes of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods: results from a randomized controlled trial

Adherence of young women to dietary recommendations has been examined predominantly by surveys. This study aimed to determine the quality of women’s diets relative to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE); and to evaluate dietary changes during an intervention trial with pork meat or an iron supplement. A 12-week randomized trial was conducted in young women who were assigned to one of three groups. They maintained three, seven-day food diaries while continuing their routine diet (CG); taking an iron supplement (SG); or incorporating into their diets 500 g/week of pork (PG). Participants (n = 58) provided dietary information on 1218 diary-days. The serves consumed from the vegetable, fruit and dairy groups were lower (p < 0.001), and from the meat and alternatives group greater (p < 0.001) than the recommended serves. PG consumed significantly fewer (p < 0.001) serves of “extra” foods, and ate fruit more frequently (p < 0.001) than CG and SG. The participants’ dietary self-assessment showed poor agreement with the AGHE description of “serve”. The inclusion of pork in the diets of young women is associated with the reduced consumption of energy-dense nutrient-poor “extra” foods and increased frequency of fruit intake. The effect may be explained by diverse factors such as increased food knowledge, cooking skills and the effect of pork on satiety.

Sweet lies: neural, visual, and behavioral measures reveal a lack of self-control conflict during food choice in weight-concerned women

Despite their intentions, weight-concerned individuals generally fail to control their eating behavior. However, it is unknown whether this failure is due to a lack of effortful self-control, or to not experiencing an internal conflict between weight goals and food temptations. The present study used fMRI, eye tracking and reaction times to assess the degree of conflict experienced by weight-concerned women during food choices that posed either a self-control dilemma (i.e., requiring a choice between healthy and palatable foods), or not. Contrary to the common assumption in self-control theory that food choices posing a self-control dilemma evoke internal conflict, we found that choices requiring self-control induced no conflict, as demonstrated by lower reaction times, fixation durations, number of gaze switches between snacks, and lower activation of the anterior cingulate cortex. Our results suggest that self-control failure might be due to a lack of experienced conflict, rather than to failing to act upon the perception of such conflict. This implies that effectiveness of weight maintenance interventions might be improved if they also focus on increasing the ability to detect a self-control dilemma, in addition to the current focus on increasing self-regulatory capacity.

Inherited or Behavior? What Causal Beliefs about Obesity Are Associated with Weight Perceptions and Decisions to Lose Weight in a US Sample?

Objectives. To identify the extent to which (1) beliefs about obesity and obesity-related behaviors distinguish individuals based on weight perception (WP) and (2) beliefs about obesity predict perceived health status and WP and how these in turn predict decisions to try to lose weight. Method. 7456 noninstitutionalized US adults (M_age = 54.13, SD_age = 16.93; 61.2% female; 75.9% White) completed the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey. Multinomial logistic regressions and structural equation modeling were used to accomplish study objectives. Results. Age, gender, information-seeking, health status, belief that obesity is inherited, and knowledge of fruits and vegetables recommendations distinguished participants based on WP. Beliefs about obesity predicted health status, WP, and trying to lose weight in the general model. The models varied based on gender, race/ethnicity, education, and weight misperception. Conclusion. This study supports the role of beliefs about obesity, WP, and health perceptions in individuals' decisions and actions regarding weight management. This study increases our understanding of gender, race/ethnicity, education, and weight misperceptions differences in decisions to lose weight. This knowledge may lead to targeted interventions, rather than “one size fits all” interventions, to promote health and prevent obesity.

Biological variability and impact of oral contraceptives on vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate status in women of reproductive age

Vitamins B₆, B₁₂ and folate play crucial metabolic roles especially during the reproductive years for women. There is limited reporting of within-subject variability of these vitamins. This study aimed to determine the within and between subject variability in serum vitamins B₆, B₁₂, folate and erythrocyte folate concentrations in young women; identify factors that contribute to variability; and determine dietary intakes and sources of these vitamins. Data were obtained from the control group of a trial aimed at investigating the effect of iron on the nutritional status of young women (age 25.2 ± 4.2 year; BMI 21.9 ± 2.2 kg/m²). The coefficients of variability within-subject (CV_I) and between-subject (CV_G) for serum vitamins B₆, B₁₂ and folate, and erythrocyte folate were calculated. Food frequency questionnaires provided dietary data. CV_I and CV_G were in the range 16.1%–25.7% and 31.7%–62.2%, respectively. Oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use was associated (P = 0.042) with lower serum vitamin B₁₂ concentrations. Initial values were 172 ± 16 pmol/L and 318 ± 51 pmol/L for OCP and non-OCP users, respectively; with differences maintained at four time points over 12 weeks. BMI, age, physical activity, alcohol intake and haematological variables did not affect serum or erythrocyte vitamin concentrations. Vitamin B₁₂ intakes were derived from traditional and unexpected sources including commercial energy drinks. Young women using OCP had significantly lower serum vitamin B₁₂ concentrations. This should be considered in clinical decision making and requires further investigation.