Brink PJ, Ferguson K, Sharma A. Childhood memories about food: the Successful Dieters Project.
JOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING 1999;
12:17-25. [PMID:
10347427 DOI:
10.1111/j.1744-6171.1999.tb00037.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The Successful Dieters Project explored and described the characteristics of dieters. This paper reports the results of a content analysis of one question about childhood memories surrounding food.
METHODS
All subjects were interviewed once with an intensive interview guide, were weighed, and were measured for height and waist-hip ratios.
SUBJECTS
Subjects (N = 162) were 76 men and 86 women, who ranged in age from 21 to 84 years.
FINDINGS
Gender and weight history differences were noted in the areas of food rules, the age at which dieting to control weight began, family food rules, positive versus negative memories, and the use of food as a reward or punishment. Parental experience with food deprivation was a strong force in shaping children's attitudes toward food.
CONCLUSIONS
Childhood memories about food appear to contribute to differences among the obese, the always-normal-weight, and the successful dieter. Further research into this area of investigation is warranted.
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