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PubMed2007

Is dieting advice from magazines helpful or harmful? Five-year associations with weight-control behaviors and psychological outcomes in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between frequent reading of magazine articles about dieting/weight loss and weight-control behaviors and psychological outcomes 5 years later in a sample of adolescents. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Data are from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a 5-year longitudinal study of eating, activity, weight, and related variables in 2516 middle and high school students. In 1999 (time 1), participants completed surveys and had their height and weight measured. In 2004 (time 2), participants were resurveyed. RESULTS: For female adolescents, the frequency of healthy, unhealthy, and extreme weight-control behaviors increased with increasing magazine reading after adjusting for time 1 weight-control behaviors, weight importance, BMI, and demographic covariates. The odds of engaging in unhealthy weight-control behaviors (such as fasting, skipping meals, and smoking more cigarettes) were twice as high for the most frequent readers compared with those who did not read magazine articles about dieting and weight loss. The odds of using extreme weight-control behaviors (such as vomiting or using laxatives) were 3 times higher in the highest frequency readers compared with those who did not read such magazines. There were no significant associations for either weight-control behaviors or psychological outcomes for male adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent reading of magazine articles about dieting/weight loss strongly predicted unhealthy weight-control behaviors in adolescent girls, but not boys, 5 years later. Findings from this study, in conjunction with findings from previous studies, suggest a need for interventions aimed at reducing exposure to, and the importance placed on, media messages regarding dieting and weight loss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Obesity and weight control practices in 2000 among veterans using VA facilities.

OBJECTIVE: To examine obesity prevalence and weight control practices among veterans who use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities (VA users). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a telephone survey of 184,450 adults, were analyzed. Outcome measures included BMI, weight control practices (the intent to manage weight, and diet and physical activity patterns), and receipt of professional weight control advice. RESULTS: Of VA users, 44% were overweight and 25% were obese. After controlling for demographic factors, VA users were somewhat less likely to be overweight (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 1.00) but equally likely to be obese (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.27), compared with non-VA users. Among obese VA users, 75% reported trying to lose weight, and another 17% reported trying to maintain weight. Of these, only 40% decreased both calorie and fat intake. Only 27% of obese VA users who reported increasing exercise to lose weight followed recommendations for regular and sustained physical activity. Of obese VA users, 59% were inactive or irregularly active. Only 51% of obese VA users received professional advice to lose weight. Obese VA users were more likely than obese non-VA users to report trying to lose weight, modifying diet to lose weight by decreasing both calories and fat intake, and receiving professional weight control advice. DISCUSSION: Interventions for weight management programs in VA facilities need to take into account the high prevalence of overweight/obesity among VA users and should emphasize effective weight control practices.

Data Collection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Weight control smoking among sedentary women.

This study examined characteristics associated with weight control smoking among 281 sedentary women enrolled in a smoking cessation trial. A series of regression models were developed to identify predictors of weight control smoking as measured by the Smoking Situations Questionnaire. Predictor variables included demographic variables, dietary intake, weight gain following previous quit attempts, dietary restraint, self-efficacy for weight management, smoking behavior, exercise behavior, negative affect and psychological constructs relevant to smoking cessation, and exercise adoption. In the final predictor model, anticipation of weight gain in the current quit attempt, higher dietary restraint, younger age, greater Fagerstrom scores, greater number of pounds gained in previous quit attempts, and lower levels of self-efficacy to manage weight in negative affect situations were associated with smoking for weight control. Treatment implications for women who smoke for weight control reasons are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[The attitude of the 11th grade school girls to their bodies and weight control].

OBJECTIVE: Of the study was to detect the girls of 11th grade attitude towards their bodies and weight control. METHODS: The girls attitude towards their bodies and weight control was determined by anonymous 48-item questionnaire. The percentage of body fat (Durnin & Womersley, 1974) of each girl was estimated as well. RESULTS: Showed that a large part of the normal weight girls (58.5%) considered their weight too high. The girls with higher body fat and those who considered their weight to be too high judged their bodies and separate body parts more negative; their weight control behavior was more negative as well. The bigger difference between actual and desirable body weight was related with more negative weight control behavior and higher fear of weight gain. The attitude of the girls involved and not involved in leisure sports activities towards their bodies showed no significant difference while more dieting cases in sport involved group was determined. CONCLUSIONS: Attitude towards body weight was a higher predictor of negative weight control aspects than the actual percentage of body fat. The problem needs future examination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Managing atypical antipsychotic-associated weight gain: 12-month data on a multimodal weight control program.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to test prospectively the feasibility and efficacy of a multimodal weight control program for over-weight and obese severely mentally ill adults who had gained weight while taking atypical antipsychotic medications. METHOD: Thirty-one subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV), on treatment with atypical antipsychotics, participated in a 52-week, multimodal weight control program that incorporated nutrition, exercise, and behavioral interventions. The primary outcomes were measures of body mass index (BMI) and weight. A variety of secondary outcomes, including hemoglobin A(1c) level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and cholesterol level, were compared from baseline to endpoint. Weight and BMI changes in the intervention group were also compared with changes in 20 nonintervention patients ("usual care" group) who were contemporaneously treated in the same clinics. RESULTS: Twenty of the 31 subjects in the intervention group completed the program. Statistically significant pre-post improvements in weight (p <.02), BMI (p <.02), hemoglobin A(1c) levels (p <.001), diastolic (p <.001) and systolic (p <.05) blood pressure, exercise level (p <.003), nutrition knowledge (p <.0001), and stage of change (exercise [p <.0001] and weight [p <.008]) were seen in the intervention group. Patients attended a mean of 69% of the sessions during the year of the program. Weight and BMI also decreased significantly (p =.01) in the intervention group compared with the "usual care" group, who gained weight during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder were willing to attend, and benefited from, a weight control program that focused on nutrition, exercise, and motivation. The program resulted in clinically significant reductions in weight, BMI, and other risk factors for long-term poor health, including hemoglobin A(1c). In contrast, patients who did not receive the weight control intervention continued to gain weight.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of a novel calcium/potassium salt of (-)-hydroxycitric acid in weight control.

The weight-loss efficacy of a novel, water-soluble, calcium-potassium salt of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) was re-examined in 90 obese subjects (BMI: 30-50.8 kg/m2). We combined data from two previously reported randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies in order to achieve a better statistical evaluation based on a larger population. This re-examination of data also allowed us to reflect more intensely on various aspects of weight loss studies. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups: group A received a daily dose of HCA-SX 4, 667 mg (providing 2,800 mg HCA per day); group B was given a daily dose of a combination of HCA-SX 4,667 mg, niacin-bound chromium (NBC) 4 mg (providing 400 microg elemental chromium), and Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) 400 mg (providing 100 mg gymnemic acid); and group C received a placebo in three equally divided doses 30-60 min before each meal. All subjects were provided a 2,000 kcal diet/day and participated in a supervised walking program for 30 min/day, 5 days/week. Eighty-two subjects completed the study. At the end of 8 weeks, in group A, both body weight and BMI decreased by 5.4%, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides levels were reduced by 12.9% and 6.9%, respectively, while high-density lipoprotein levels increased by 8.9%, serum leptin levels decreased by 38%, serotonin levels increased by 44.5% and urinary excretion of fat metabolites increased by 32-109%. Group B demonstrated similar beneficial changes, but generally to a greater extent. No significant adverse effects were observed. The combined results confirm that HCA-SX and, to a greater degree, the combination of HCA-SX plus NBC and GSE reduce body weight and BMI, suppress appetite, improve blood lipid profiles, increase serum leptin and serotonin levels and increase fat oxidation more than placebo. We conclude that dosage levels, timing of administration, subject compliance and bioavailability of HCA-SX significantly affect results and that when taken as directed, HCA-SX is a highly effective adjunct to healthy weight control.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Weight-control behavior among obese children: association with family-related factors.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to investigate the weight-control behavior of obese children, to understand parents' supervision and to explore related factors that influenced the weight-control behavior. A structured questionnaire was employed in this study. A random sample of 287 children and their parents was recruited from six elementary schools in Shihlin and Peitou districts of Taipei City. Criteria employed for recruitment of subjects were: third and fourth grade in elementary schools, and weight-for-length index > or = 1.2. RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of the obese children were mildly obese and eleven percent were severely obese. Ninety-seven percent of the subjects adopted weight-control behavior, the most frequent one being avoiding fried food. The exercise frequency and time duration consistency were generally insufficient. Twenty-seven percent of the obese children were not in the habit of exercising. Factors that influenced the execution of weight-control behavior by the obese children included obesity level, mother's education, family structure, socioeconomic status of the family, parents' perception of their children's weight, parents' concern, and supervision. Our study found that severely obese children attempted to lose weight with inappropriate methods. Children staying in foster families or with grandparents, or from families of low socioeconomic status, had poorer weight-control behavior. Children whose parents were more concerned about their weight problem tended to have better weight-control behavior. Therefore, it is important to assist the parents of obese children to confront the issue of obesity and help the children solve their weight problem. It is also important to help foster families with low income to make the most of social resources to reinforce the family function.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2006

Overweight status and weight control behaviors in adolescents: longitudinal and secular trends from 1999 to 2004.

BACKGROUND: This study examined 5-year longitudinal and secular trends in weight status and the use of healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviors in adolescents. METHODS: Project EAT-II followed 2516 adolescents from Minnesota longitudinally from 1999 to 2004. The population included two cohorts allowing for the observation of transitions from early to middle adolescence (junior high school to high school) and from middle to late adolescence (high school to post-high school). RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight (females: 28.7%; males: 28.0%) was high in early adolescence and remained high throughout adolescence. In females, between early and middle adolescence, there were steep longitudinal increases in the use of unhealthy weight control behaviors (48.6% to 58.8%, P = 0.001) and extreme weight control behaviors (9.4% to 17.9%, P < 0.001), and between middle and late adolescence, extreme weight control behaviors increased from 14.5% to 23.9% (P < 0.001). In males, extreme weight control behaviors doubled from middle to late adolescence (3.4% to 6.3%, P = 0.023). Use of diet pills doubled from 7.5% to 14.2% from 1999 to 2004 (P = 0.004) in high school females. One fifth (19.9%) of females in late adolescence reported taking diet pills. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight status and unhealthy weight control behaviors in adolescents are major public health concerns that warrant interventions addressing both problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Weight management goals and use of exercise for weight control among U.S. high school students, 1991-2001.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine trends in weight management goals and the use of exercise for weight control among U.S. high school students. METHODS: As part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 6 national school-based surveys were conducted between 1991 and 2001. Each survey used a three-stage cross-sectional sample of students in grades 9-12. African-American and Hispanic students were oversampled. Logistic regression models were used to test for trends among gender and race/ethnic subgroups, controlling demographic changes over time. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2001, the percentage of female students trying to lose weight (61.7%-62.3%) or stay the same weight (15.4%-16.0%) did not change significantly. Among male students, trying to lose weight (22.7%-28.8%) and trying to stay the same weight (17.8%-21.5%) both increased significantly, while trying to gain weight decreased significantly (32.7%-26.3%). Among female and male students who were trying to lose weight or stay the same weight, the use of exercise for weight control increased significantly. Among students who reported using exercise for weight control, participation in vigorous physical activity > or = 3 days per week increased among African-American female students, and participation in strengthening exercises > or = 3 days per week increased among male students. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest increased interest in weight control among male adolescents, and increased use of exercise for weight control among female and male adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Randomized controlled trial for behavioral smoking and weight control treatment: effect of concurrent versus sequential intervention.

The authors compared simultaneous versus sequential approaches to multiple health behavior change in diet, exercise, and cigarette smoking. Female regular smokers (N = 315) randomized to 3 conditions received 16 weeks of behavioral smoking treatment, quit smoking at Week 5, and were followed for 9 months after quit date. Weight management was omitted for control and was added to the 1st 8 weeks for early diet (ED) and the final 8 weeks for late diet (LD). ED lacked lasting effect on weight gain, whereas LD initially lacked but gradually acquired a weight-suppression effect that stabilized (p = .004). Behavioral weight control did not undermine smoking cessation and, when initiated after the smoking quit date, slowed the rate of weight gain, supporting a sequential approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Theoretical and baseline considerations for diet and weight control of diabetes among blacks.

This article outlines theoretical considerations for diet and weight control of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and identifies factors that may be of particular importance in influencing the success of diet and weight control of NIDDM in the Black population. Long-term adherence to dietary or weight-control regimens requires that the patient evaluate and restructure established eating and physical activity patterns. With the use of the social action theory as a conceptual framework, this complex behavioral change task can be understood as a function of the interplay of various self-regulatory mechanisms. These mechanisms are influenced by the person's capabilities for making changes, his/her physical condition and general health status, the physical and social environmental context, and the person's material and social resources. Many of these factors may differ for Blacks and Whites in a direction that suggests a lesser potential for effective diet and weight-loss therapy among Black NIDDM patients. For example, compared with Whites, Blacks are more likely to have limited incomes, low educational attainment, ambivalence about weight control, multiple health problems, and high-fat high-sodium low-fiber diets or food preferences. However, some evidence suggests that state-of-the-art counseling approaches can be as effective for Blacks as for Whites. The challenge is to adapt the types of approaches suggested by the social action theory for culturally appropriate and cost-effective delivery in Black community health-care settings.

Black or African American↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sex differences among participants in a weight-control program.

The present study examines whether sex differences in behavioral and psychological variables related to weight control are explained by sex differences in weight standards and prior history of dieting. The predictive value of these sex differences for subsequent outcome in a behavioral weight-loss program was also examined. Women (N = 88) reported (a) more dieting behavior (both past and present), (b) leaner standards of desired weight, (c) more knowledge of weight-loss methods and nutrition, and (d) more motivational barriers to weight control than men (N = 98). Men reported (a) more knowledge barriers to weight control, and (b) higher levels of physical activity. Sex differences in motivational barriers, nutrition knowledge, and some of the weight-loss behaviors were eliminated by controlling statistically for weight standards and dieting history. Weight losses at 6, 12, and 18 months were consistently related to only two of the variables discriminating between men and women. Positive eating behaviors, such as eating diet foods and limiting food quantity, were prospectively related to less weight loss. Stimulus-control eating behaviors, such as eating only in one location, were prospectively related to greater weight loss. Men and women differed little in weight loss success. Since few behavioral and psychological variables were related to weight loss, different emphases in weight-loss treatments for men and women are not clearly indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Binge eating behaviours, depression and weight control strategies.

The aim of this paper was to explore the relationships between depressive symptoms and weight control strategies in DSM-IV eating disordered patients with binge eating behaviours. We hypothesised that weight control strategies characterised by a loss of control, such as vomiting and purging, may be clinically associated with increased levels of depression. The study population consisted of 402 consecutive outpatients: 27 with binge eating/purging anorexia nervosa (AN-BN), 213 with purging bulimia nervosa (BN-P), 73 with non-purging bulimia nervosa (BN-NP), and 89 with binge eating disorder (BED). The severity of depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and binge eating behaviours were investigated using the self-report scale for bulimic behaviours. In the sample as a whole, the severity of depression significantly correlated with the severity of binge eating behaviours, but no significant differences were found in the severity of depression by diagnostic sub-types. In order to avoid the confounding erasing effect of time, a smaller sample of patients with a short history of binge eating behaviours was further explored. Furthermore, because weight control strategies and the eating disorder diagnostic sub-types overlapped imperfectly, the patients were compared on the basis of presence or absence of strategies reflecting an active attempt to master the weight gain due to bingeing behaviours. The patients adopting active control strategies (N = 14) had significantly less severe depressive symptoms than those adopting non-active weight control strategies (N = 39). Finally, the Authors discuss some hypotheses concerning the defensive role of weight control strategies and the impact of illness duration on the clinical expression of depression in eating disordered patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to weight control, eating disorders, and body image in Australian trainee home economics and physical education teachers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about weight control and eating disorders among trainee home economics and physical education teachers and to assess their body image and weight control practices. The association between actual body weight and body image was also examined. DESIGN: Survey research was undertaken using a self-report questionnaire. Height and weight were measured. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: Trainee home economics and physical education teachers (N = 216, 96% participation rate) in their last month of training at three major state teacher training universities completed a questionnaire during their regular class times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Advice teachers give to overweight adolescents knowledge and beliefs about eating disorders, body image, desired weight, food habits, dieting, body appearance ratings, weight control practices, and diagnosed and self-reported eating disorders. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Descriptive statistics, chi square, and analyses of variance compare gender and Body Mass Index differences. RESULTS: Males (85%) and females (87%) advised young overweight adolescents to diet to lose weight. Twenty percent of females and 13% of males regularly skipped breakfast. The advise given showed a lack of specific nutrition education about weight control, adolescent nutritional needs, and fad diets. Participants held misconceptions about eating disorders, and a range of 14% to 72% answered these questions incorrectly. Fourteen percent of females self-reported that they currently had an eating disorder, but only 6% had received treatment. Some females used potentially dangerous methods of weight loss, including 19% who abused laxatives and 10% who induced vomiting. IMPLICATIONS: Trainee home economics and physical education teachers need specific nutrition information and training about eating disorders, weight control, and suitable advice for overweight students. The female trainee teachers in our study had a poor body image and disordered eating similar to other young women in Western countries, and this should be taken into account by teacher training institutions.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Socioeconomic status and weight control practices in British adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Attitudes and practices concerning weight control in British adults were examined to test the hypothesis that variation in concern about weight and deliberate weight control might partly explain the socioeconomic status (SES) gradient in obesity. Higher SES groups were hypothesised to show more weight concern and higher levels of dieting. SETTING: Data were collected as part of the monthly Omnibus Survey of the Office of National Statistics in March 1999. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified, probability sample of 2690 households was selected by random sampling of addresses in Britain. One randomly selected person in each household was interviewed at their home. MAIN RESULTS: As predicted, higher SES men and women had higher levels of perceived overweight, monitored their weight more closely, and were more likely to be trying to lose weight. Higher SES groups also reported more restrictive dietary practices and more vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with the idea that part of the protection against weight gain in higher SES groups could be a higher frequency of weight monitoring, a lower threshold for defining themselves as overweight, and a greater likelihood of deliberate efforts at weight control.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Weight-control practices of adults in a rural community.

Obesity is recognised as a significant public health problem, and health authorities are concerned with promoting a healthy weight for all adults. However, there is a paucity of data about community weight-control practices. We surveyed weight-control behaviour, strategies and goals in a population-based sample of 1342 adults living in rural Victoria. In addition to the 20 per cent of adults who were attempting to lose weight, 22 per cent were actively trying to maintain their present weight or to avoid weight gain. Those taking action for their weight most often did so for health-related reasons, and most of the strategies used were those recommended by health authorities. However, some adults, particularly women, adopted potentially unhealthy weight-control practices. One in four women whose weight was acceptable was trying to lose weight, and 14 per cent of women had a weight goal that was below the acceptable range. Conversely, 50 per cent of men had a weight goal higher than that currently considered acceptable. Additional research is required to assess more accurately the specific nature of community weight-control practices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Relationships between objective physical characteristics and the use of weight control methods in adolescence: a mediating role for eating attitudes?

This study of non-clinical adolescent males and females examined associations of objectively measured physical characteristics with greater use of methods of weight control and considered whether the relationships between these variables might be explained by a mediating effect of a subjective characteristic--unhealthy eating attitudes. Non-clinical male and female adolescents completed measures of weight control and eating attitudes, and their physical characteristics were measured using a range of standardized anthropometry techniques. Regression analyses were used to test the role of eating attitudes as mediators in the relationship between physical characteristics and the use of weight control methods. The data were compatible with a partial mediator model, where physical characteristics influence eating attitudes, and those where attitudes drive the use of methods to control weight. However, not all of the relationship was explained by this mediator. In addition, there were different patterns of association for men and women, consistent with different patterns of bodily focus between the genders. These findings stress the importance of understanding objective physical characteristics as well as subjective eating attitudes to find out why people use different levels of weight control behaviours. Limitations, further research and potential implications for clinical and preventative programmes are discussed.

Adolescent↗