Food Insecurity Is Associated With Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors Among Adults in Puerto Rico

ObjectiveTo examine the association between food insecurity and dysfunctional eating behaviors among adults in Puerto Rico.MethodsData from 865 participants were obtained from baseline interviews from the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT) cohort. The association between food insecurity and emotional eating (EE) and uncontrolled eating (UE) (categorized as no/moderate/high) was examined using multinomial logistic models. Potential mediation by perceived stress was explored.ResultsThe prevalence of food insecurity was 20.3%. Compared with adults with food security, adults with food insecurity had higher odds of both moderate EE (odds ratio [OR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–3.09) and high EE (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.75–4.64), and both moderate UE (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 0.91–3.50) and high UE (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.70–6.33). Perceived stress slightly attenuated these associations.Conclusions and ImplicationsFood insecurity was associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in dysfunctional eating behaviors. Interventions alleviating food insecurity or stress might help adults sustain healthy eating behaviors.     

Eating Behaviors Are Associated With Physical Fitness and Body Composition Among US Army Soldiers

ObjectiveExamine associations between soldiers’ eating behaviors, compliance with body composition and fitness standards, and physical performance.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingEight Army installations.ParticipantsUS Army Soldiers (n = 1,591; 84% male).Main Outcome MeasuresCharacteristics, eating behaviors, compliance with body composition and physical fitness standards, and fitness level were assessed via questionnaire.AnalysisBivariate and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsEating mostly at a dining facility was associated with lower odds of body composition failure (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26–0.73); whereas, eating at a fast rate (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.05–2.17) or often/always ignoring satiety cues (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.06–4.27) was associated with higher odds of body composition failure. Eating mostly fast-food/convenience meals (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.19–2.59) and eating at a fast rate (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.04–1.93) was associated with higher odds of physical fitness failure. Skipping breakfast was associated with lower odds of high physical performance (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23–0.74); whereas, nutrition education was associated with higher odds of high physical performance (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01–1.04).Conclusions and ImplicationsAs eating behaviors are modifiable, findings suggest opportunities for improving the specificity of Army health promotion and education programs.     

Adolescent binge/purge and weight loss behaviors: associations with developmental assets.

PURPOSE: To study associations between binge/purge and weight loss behaviors and "developmental assets" among adolescent girls and boys. METHODS: The Search Institute's Profile of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors self-report questionnaire was administered to 48,264 girls and 47,131 boys in grades 6 through 12 at schools in 213 cities or towns across the United States. The 156-item questionnaire measured 40 "developmental assets," or protective factors associated with successful adolescent development. Developmental assets were examined using multiple logistic regression among students who reported binge/purge behaviors, weight loss behavior, both, or neither. RESULTS: Developmental assets related to positive identity were the strongest discriminators of binge/purge and weight loss behaviors in both girls and boys. Girls who reported binge/purge and weight loss behaviors were about half as likely to report feeling a sense of purpose [odds ratio (OR) = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.40, 0.50] and high self-esteem (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.49, 0.61), compared with girls not reporting either of these behaviors. Among boys the ORs were: sense of purpose OR = 0.53 (95% CI = 0.46, 0.61) and self-esteem OR = 0.76 (95% CI = 0.65, 0.88). Assets related to values about abstinence from alcohol, drugs, or sex ("restraint") were also significant correlates. Girls and boys who reported these values were less likely to report binge/purge and weight loss behaviors, compared with those who did not report these values (girls: OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.50, 0.63; boys: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.70, 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Internal assets such as self-esteem, sense of purpose, and values related to abstinence from alcohol and sex appear to be protective against unhealthy eating behaviors and may reflect a general resilience that buffers against a broad range of health risk behaviors.     

Exploring the co-morbidity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in a nationally representative community-based sample

Emerging evidence signifies the co-occurrence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with clinical and sub-threshold disordered eating behaviors. However, many existing studies have assessed this co-occurrence among inpatient or intensive outpatient populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the co-occurrence of ADHD with clinical eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in a nationally representative sample via a secondary data analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 4,862; 2,243 males; 2,619 females). Results reveal that females have higher rates of co-occurrence of ADHD and diagnosed eating disorders than males (1.05% vs. 0.20%, p < .01). When controlling for age and race, ADHD predicted diagnosed eating disorders in females (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 2.06; 95% CI: 1.09–3.88; p < .05), but did not predict diagnosed eating disorders in males. With regard to disordered eating behaviors, when controlling for age, gender, and race, ADHD significantly predicted disordered eating behaviors (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.21–2.74). When stratifying by type of disordered eating behavior, ADHD predicted binging and/or purging behavior (OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.78–4.61), but not restrictive behaviors. Implications of study findings pertain to both secondary/targeted prevention efforts in addition to tertiary prevention via patient-specific treatment plans.     

Adoption of diet-related self-monitoring behaviors varies by race/ethnicity,education, and baseline binge eating score among overweight-to-obese postmenopausal women in a 12-month dietary weight loss intervention

Recent research has identified self-monitoring behaviors as important strategies for both initial weight loss and weight loss maintenance, but relatively little is known about adopters and nonadopters of these behaviors. To test our hypothesis that key characteristics distinguish adopters from nonadopters, we examined the demographic characteristics and eating behaviors (eg, restrained, uncontrolled, emotional, and binge eating) associated with more frequent compared with less frequent use of these behaviors. Baseline demographic characteristics and eating behaviors as well as 12-month self-monitoring behaviors (ie, self-weighing, food journaling, monitoring energy intake) were assessed in 123 postmenopausal women enrolled in a dietary weight loss intervention. Logistic regression models were used to test associations of self-monitoring use with demographic characteristics and eating behaviors. Nonwhites, compared with non-Hispanic whites, were less likely to monitor energy intake regularly (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.97; P < .05), controlling for intervention arm and baseline body mass index. Participants with a college degree or higher education were less likely to self-weigh daily (adjusted OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.13-0.67; P < .01) compared with individuals who attended some college or less. Those with higher baseline binge eating scores were less likely to monitor energy intake (adjusted OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.97; P < .01) compared with participants with lower binge eating scores. In summary, use of diet-related self-monitoring behaviors varied by race/ethnicity, education, and binge eating score in postmenopausal women who completed a year-long dietary weight loss intervention. Improved recognition of groups less likely to self-monitor may be helpful in promoting these behaviors in future interventions.     

Anti-obesity drug use before professional treatment in Taiwan

Between July 2004 and June 2005, a cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence and patterns of anti-obesity medicine use among subjects seeking obesity treatment in Taiwan. Eighteen obesity outpatient clinics were selected via a random stratified sampling method and 1,060 first-visit clients (791 females and 269 males) aged above 18 years were enrolled and then completed a self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of anti-obesity medicine use was 50.8%; more females than male used anti-obesity medicines (53.6% vs. 42.4%). Of the 1,060 subjects, 17.1% had used orlistat, 21.1% had taken sibutramine, and 18.3% had utilized un-proven drugs such as cocktail therapy and other anti-obesity drugs. Furthermore, 23.6% and 22.4% of subjects indicated that they concurrently used Chinese herbal preparations and dietary supplements, respectively. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the odds ratio (OR) for anti-obesity medicine use was substantially higher in females (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.6), those aged 18-24 years (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0-2.6), those with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.1-5.7) and respondents concurrently using Chinese herbal preparations (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4) and dietary supplements (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-3.1). In conclusion, the prevalence of anti-obesity drugs use is high among Taiwanese adults before they seek obesity treatment. Young, obese females, and those who had taken Chinese herbal preparations/dietary supplements had a high likelihood to report using anti-obesity medicines. Use of unproven weight-loss drugs is common and warrants further investigation.     

Effects of Increased Exercise on Propensity for Emotional Eating Through Associated Psychological Changes

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of exercise on emotional eating via its impact on self-regulation, mood, and body satisfaction and to evaluate the association of change in emotional eating with weight.MethodsWomen participated in either manual-based (n = 44) or in-person-based (n = 50) behavioral obesity treatments with similar theory-based content and were assessed on changes in exercise outputs, self-regulatory skills usage, negative mood, body image, propensity for emotional eating, eating behaviors, and weight.ResultsSignificant overall improvements were found in all study variables (P < 0.001), with significantly greater improvements in the in-person group (P < 0.02). Changes in self-regulation (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.010 to −0.002), mood (95% CI, −0.011 to −0.003), and body image (95% CI, −0.011, −0.002) significantly mediated the exercise-emotional eating relationship. Relationships between changes in emotional eating and weight over both 6 and 12 months were significantly mediated by changes in intakes of both sweets (95% CI, 0.118–1.024 and 0.066–1.092, respectively) and fruits/vegetables (95% CI, 0.130–1.010 and 0.167–1.139, respectively).Conclusions and ImplicationsMechanisms of the effect of exercise on emotional eating may serve to inform future weight-loss treatments.     

大学生自杀行为相关因素比较分析

目的 了解大学生自杀发生率,分析影响自杀行为的相关因素.方法 采用分层整群随机抽样方法,问卷调查9808名大学生的自杀行为发生情况及相关因素.结果 自杀未遂的报告率为1.7%;有无自杀未遂的大学生在自杀态度、所认识的人发生自杀行为的情况及所遭受负性生活事件方面均有显著差异.多因素logistic回归分析显示,主要影响自杀行为的危险因素是:近一年感到绝望的频率高(OR=4.23,95%CI:3.05～5.85),一级亲属有过自杀行为(OR=2.85,95%CI:1.72～4.73),认识的人中有自杀行为(OR=2.82,95%CI:2.05-3.88),已发生过性行为(OR=2.73,95%CI:1.88～3.96),近一个月因心理问题对学习或日常生活有影响(OR=2.53,95%CI:1.80～3.56),女性(OR=2.47,95%CI:1.77～3.45)及其他有血缘关系的亲属有过自杀行为(OR=2.36,95%CI:1.63～3.41).结论 大学生的自杀行为受心理、生物、社会因素的共同作用,必须采取针对性措施对自杀行为实施有效干预.     

The association between changes in lifestyle behaviors and the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in middle-aged and older men

Background

This study was designed to evaluate whether changes in lifestyle behaviors are correlated with the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Effects of sibutramine plus orlistat in obese women following 1 year of treatment by sibutramine alone: a placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether adding orlistat to sibutramine would induce further weight loss in patients who previously had lost weight while taking sibutramine alone. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Patients were 34 women with a mean age of 44.1 +/- 10.4 years, weight of 89.4 +/- 13.8 kg, and body mass index (BMI) of 33.9 +/- 4.9 kg/m2 who had lost an average of 11.6 +/- 9.2% of initial weight during the prior 1 year of treatment by sibutramine combined with lifestyle modification. Patients were randomly assigned, in double-blind fashion, to sibutramine plus orlistat or sibutramine plus placebo. In addition to medication, participants were provided five brief lifestyle modification visits during the 16-week continuation trial. RESULTS: Mean body weight did not change significantly in either treatment condition during the 16 weeks. The addition of orlistat to sibutramine did not induce further weight loss as compared with treatment by sibutramine alone (mean changes = +0.1 +/- 4.1 kg vs. +0.5 +/- 2.1 kg, respectively). DISCUSSION: These results must be interpreted with caution because of the study's small sample size. The findings, however, suggest that the combination of sibutramine and orlistat is unlikely to have additive effects that will yield mean losses > or =15% of initial weight, as desired by many obese individuals.     

Picky Eating in School-Aged Children: Sociodemographic Determinants and the Associations with Dietary Intake

Children exhibiting picky eating behavior often demonstrate strong food preferences and rejection of particular foods or food texture, which may lead to limited dietary variety and possibly inadequate or unhealthy diet. Yet, the relationship between picky eating and nutrient intake in school-aged children has not been established previously. This study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic determinants of picky eating and the associations between picky eating and dietary intake in children. Data of 424 healthy Saudi children aged 6–12 years were collected from their mothers. A child’s picky eating habits were captured using a validated questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics of the children were assessed. Dietary data, including 24 h dietary recalls and frequency of fruit, vegetable, and milk consumption, were collected by dietetic professionals using phone-administered interviews. Compared to those of normal-weight mothers, children of mothers with obesity had higher odds of being in the highest tertile of picky eating (OR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.02, 3.63). Children exhibiting higher levels of picky eating consumed less fruits (B = −0.03; 95% CI −0.06, −0.01), vegetables (B = −0.05; 95% CI −0.07, −0.02), and protein (B = −0.21; 95% CI −0.33, −0.09), and had higher consumption of trans fatty acid intake (B = 1.10; 95% CI 0.06, 2.15). Children with higher levels of picky eating presented unhealthy dietary behaviors. Future studies are needed to examine the long-term effect of picky eating on cardiovascular health. Dietary behaviors of mothers with obesity must be taken into consideration when designing intervention programs aiming to improve eating behaviors of children.     

长沙市部分学龄前儿童饮食行为问题状况及其影响因素分析

目的 了解长沙市部分学前儿童饮食行为问题状况以及影响因素。方法 对长沙市2 242名学龄前儿童进行饮食行为问题和监护人喂养行为问题的调查。结果 长沙市部分学龄前儿童饮食行为问题发生率为72.9%。各项饮食行为问题发生率由高到低依次为经历充沛胃口不好占53.5%、外因进食占48.6%、偏食挑食占40.1%、进食习惯不良占36.5%、父母过度关心占23.9%、情绪进食占10.1%、害怕进食占2.4%。饮食行为问题随着年龄的增长呈现降低的趋势,差异有统计学意义(χ2 = 187.1,P＜0.01)。logistic回归分析显示,父亲学历高是学龄前儿童饮食行为问题的保护因素,OR值95%CI为0.81(0.71～0.93);家庭收入低、家庭成员有饮食行为问题、独生子女、存在不恰当的喂养方式、喂养时存在焦虑情绪是学龄前儿童饮食行为问题发生的危险因素,OR值95%CI分别为1.21(1.01～1.43)、1.94(1.49～2.49)、1.67(1.25～2.26)、4.28(2.52～7.29)、5.13(3.02～8.71)。结论 长沙市学龄前儿童饮食行为问题检出率较高,今后应加强家庭教育,促进儿童饮食行为问题干预。     

Intimate Partner Violence in Southwestern Nigeria: Are There Rural-Urban Differences?

The researchers in this study assessed the prevalence of different types and experience of intimate partner violence among 600 women aged 15 to 49 years in selected rural and urban communities in southwestern Nigeria between October and December, 2007. Lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence was 64% in the rural and 70% in the urban areas. Controlling behavior was the most frequently reported type of intimate partner violence experienced by both groups of women, and sexual violence was reported least. More urban women reported sexual violence and controlling behaviors than rural women (16.4% versus 11.6% and 57.7% versus 42.0%, respectively). More rural women had experienced physical violence (28% versus 14%). More urban women experienced controlling behaviors, while more rural women experienced physical violence. In both locations, history of partners' involvement in physical fights was significantly associated with reporting sexual violence (rural: odds ratio [OR] = 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–12.3; urban: OR = 8.4; 95% CI 1.4–51.8). History of alcohol consumption by partners was significantly associated with reporting physical violence (rural: OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.2–4.4; urban: OR = 3.2; 95% CI 1.4–7.2). However, among rural respondents, younger partners were more likely to perpetuate controlling behavior (OR = 5.1; 95% CI 1.7–15.6) and being in a relationship for ≥10 years was related to psychological and physical violence. Among urban respondents, history of partners' involvement in physical fights was associated with controlling behavior (OR = 8.2; 95% CI 1.1–65.4) and physical violence (OR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.2–17.3). These results suggest that intimate partner violence is a frequent experience in women in both communities, although the types of intimate partner violence experienced differed, and multidisciplinary strategies are required to reduce intimate partner violence.     

Intentional weight loss in young adults: sex-specific genetic and environmental effects

OBJECTIVE: To explore eating styles associated with intentional weight loss (IWL) and to determine whether the genetic liability in IWL is entirely shared with genetic liability affecting BMI. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: As part of a longitudinal assessment of various health-related behaviors in a large population-based sample of twins, eating styles, BMI, and the number of times the study participants had intentionally lost > or = 5 kg were assessed by questionnaire from 4667 male and female twins (22 to 27 years of age). Associations of eating styles and IWL were explored using polytomous logistic regression models adjusted for BMI. Sex-specific bivariate structural equation modeling was used to explore genetic and environmental correlations of BMI and IWL. RESULTS: Individuals who had engaged in IWL exhibited markedly more restricting, overeating, and alternating restricting/overeating than those in the no-IWL group. Snacking and eating in the evening were characteristic of women with at least two IWL attempts. Eating in response to visual and emotional cues was very pronounced in women who had engaged in IWL but much less so in men. IWL was estimated to have a heritability of 38% [95% confidence interval (CI), 19% to 55%] in men and 66% (95% CI, 55% to 75%) in women. The genetic covariance of BMI and IWL was 0.38 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.47) for men and 0.45 (95% CI, 0.41 to 0.52) for women. DISCUSSION: Distinct sex differences exist in eating styles associated with IWL and in the heritability of IWL. Most genetic factors affecting BMI are different from those affecting IWL.     

Association of Web-Based Weight Loss Information Use With Weight Reduction Behaviors in Adolescent Women

Purpose

To examine the association between seeking weight loss information from the Internet and weight loss behaviors.

Methods

A self-administered survey was conducted on 3,181 women, aged 16–24 years, between August 2008 and August 2010. Questions were asked on use of the Internet to obtain weight loss information and various weight loss practices. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between seeking weight loss information online and practicing these weight loss behaviors.

Results

In all, 39% used the Internet to seek weight loss information. Women who obtained weight loss information from the Internet were more likely to exercise (odds ratio [OR]: 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.60), use diet pills (OR: 4.14, 95% CI: 2.93–5.84), laxatives (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.15–3.54), diuretics (OR: 7.89, 95% CI: 2.88–21.61), vomit after eating (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.24–5.30), skip meals (OR: 2.77, 95% CI: 2.26–3.39), smoke more cigarettes (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.14–2.14), and stop eating carbohydrates (OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.81–5.26) after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and education.

Conclusions

Many young women engage in unhealthy weight loss behaviors which they may learn online. Interventions are needed to instruct young women on safe practices to lose weight.     

安徽省大学生情绪化过度进食行为的影响因素

  目的  探讨在特定社会文化背景下影响大学生情绪化过度进食行为的因素,为制定减少大学生不良饮食行为的干预策略提供新思路。  方法  采用多阶段抽样的方法,抽取安徽省北部、中部和南部5座城市2 045名大学生,基于社会生态系统理论框架设计问卷,测量大学生个人层面、人际层面、物理环境以及宏观层面的影响因素,采用情绪化过度进食量表(Emotional Overeating Questionnaire, EOQ)进行大学生情绪化过度进食行为频率的测量,并采用二元Logistic回归分析各因素对大学生情绪化过度进食行为的影响。  结果  全因素调节模型结果中,错误社会饮食观念影响(OR=1.28,95%CI=1.16~1.41)、情绪量表得分(OR=1.46,95%CI=1.24~1.73)、亲密朋友态度(OR=0.75,95%CI=0.59~0.95)与情绪化过度进食行为有相关性,性别、城乡出身、月生活费、父母态度、到常去的校外快餐店的距离及每天摄入食物包装上的营养成分和热量信息未标注比例与情绪化过度进食均无相关性(P值均>0.05)。  结论  错误社会饮食观念影响与情绪量表得分增加了情绪化过度进食的风险,亲密朋友态度则降低了情绪化过度进食的风险。应继续关注大学生的心理健康,降低情绪反应,并通过开展健康饮食宣教活动倡导同伴间正确的饮食观念,帮助大学生自觉抵御社会环境中容易造成不良进食行为的因素,树立正确饮食观念"。     

Association of occupational stress and social support with health-related behaviors among chinese offshore oil workers

To explore the relationship of occupational stress and social support with health-related behaviors of smoking, alcohol usage and physical inactivity, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 561 offshore oil installation workers of a Chinese state-owned oil company. They were investigated with a self-administered questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, occupational stress, social support and health-related behaviors. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between occupational stress, social support and health-related behaviors and adjusted for age, educational level, marital status, duration of offshore work and job title. Of 561 workers, 218 (38.9%) were current smokers, 124 (22.1%) current drinkers, and 354 (63.1%) physically inactive in their leisure time. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that: (1) Current smoking was significantly negatively related with perceived stress from "Safety" (OR=0.74; 95% CI=0.58-0.94) and lack of supervisors' instrumental support (OR=0.34; 95% CI=0.18-0.65); (2) Current drinking was significantly positively related to perceived stress from "Interface between job and family/social life" (OR=1.32; 95% CI=1.02-1.70) and "Organizational structure" (OR=1.35; 95% CI=1.06-1.74), but was significantly negatively related to poor emotional support from friends (OR=0.54; 95% CI=0.62-0.96); (3) Physical inactivity after work was significantly positively associated with perceived stress from "Safety" (OR=1.44; 95% CI=1.16-1.79) and lack of instrumental support from both supervisors (OR=1.74; 95% CI=1.16-2.65) and friends (OR=1.68; 95% CI=1.06-2.42). The findings suggest that psychosocial factors of occupational stress and social support at offshore oil work might affect workers' health-related behaviors in different ways.     

Ten-Year Changes in Healthy Eating Attitudes in the SUN Cohort

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the within-subject longitudinal changes in self-perceived healthy eating attitudes after 10 years of follow-up and to identify predictors of long-term changes in a middle-aged adult cohort.

Methods: Four thousand five hundred seventy-two participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline and after 10 years of follow-up. The FFQ was expanded with a brief 10-item questionnaire about eating attitudes with 2 possible answers: yes or no. A baseline score and a 10-year score were calculated with these 10 items (range from 0 to 10). Participants were categorized into 3 groups according to this score. Linear and logistic regressions were used to examine changes at follow-up and associations between baseline characteristics and improvement in the score.

Results: After 10 years of follow-up, a statistically significant favorable change (p < 0.001) was achieved in all questions about eating attitudes, particularly in these items: “Do you try to eat less sweets and pastries?” (12%), “Do you try to eat less meat?” (11.1%), and “Do you try to reduce your fat intake?” (10%). Being female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.39), being 35–50 or ≥ 50 years old (OR = 1.24, 95% CI, 1.07–1.44 and OR = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.38–2.18, respectively), a high level of physical activity (OR for third vs first tertile = 1.20, 95% CI, 1.02–1.41), and a higher Mediterranean diet score (OR for second and third tertiles = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.01–1.37 and OR = 1.26, 95% CI, 1.04–1.52, respectively) were associated with a higher probability of improving the eating attitudes score, while a low body mass index (BMI; OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.51–1.00) and snacking between meals (OR = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.73–0.97) were associated with a lower probability of improving their score.

Conclusions: The eating attitudes of the participants in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort became more favorable after 10 years of follow-up. Certain sociodemographic or clinical variables may predict a positive change.     

Psychological Variables Associated with Weight Loss in Obese Patients Seeking Treatment at Medical Centers

Background

The identification of process and treatment variables associated with successful weight loss could be a pivotal strategy to reduce attrition and improve effectiveness of dietary treatment in obesity and could help find new therapeutic strategies.

Objective

The aim of study is to identify the psychological predictors of weight loss in patients with obesity compliant to continuous treatment at medical centers.

Design

Longitudinal observation of a large cohort of obese subjects entering weight-loss programs in the years 2000-2002.

Subjects/setting

Five hundred obese patients who completed 12-month weight-loss treatment by Italian medical centers offering different programs (78.8% females; age 46.2±10.8 years; body mass index [BMI; calculated as kg/m²] 37.3±5.6).

Main outcome measured

Measurements were obtained at baseline and after a 12-month weight-loss program. Psychological distress, binge eating, body uneasiness, and attitude toward eating were evaluated by self-administered questionnaires (Symptom Check List-90, Binge Eating Scale, Body Uneasiness Test, and Eating Inventory [Dietary Restraint, Disinhibition, and Hunger]), together with BMI changes. Weight-loss expectations and primary motivation for seeking treatment (health or improving appearance) were also recorded.

Results

At follow-up, mean percent weight loss was similar in males and females. Both hierarchical regression and logistic regression analysis revealed that increased dietary restraint and decreased disinhibition were the only independent psychological predictors of BMI change after controlling for age, sex, and baseline BMI (5% weight loss at 12 months: Eating Inventory Restraint (odds ratio [OR]: 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09 to 1.21) and Disinhibition (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.99); 10% weight loss: Restraint (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.16) and Disinhibition (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.98). Adjustment for centers did not change the results.

Conclusion

Successful weight loss was associated with increased dietary restraint and reduced disinhibition in obese patients seeking weight-loss treatment in several medical centers throughout Italy.     

Television Use and Snacking Behaviors Among Children and Adolescents in China

PurposeTelevision (TV) use has been linked with poor eating behaviors and obesity in young people. This study examines the association between TV watching and paying attention to TV commercials with buying and requesting snacks seen on commercials, and eating snacks while watching TV among youth in China.MethodsData from 1,552 participants (ages 6–17.99) in the 2004 China Health and Nutrition Survey were analyzed cross-sectionally. The 2004 China Health and Nutrition Survey was conducted in nine Chinese provinces.ResultsMost respondents (92.2%) reported watching TV; on average children (6–11.99 years old) and adolescents (12–17.99 years old) watched TV for 9–10 hours per week. Nearly half (42.9%) of all the respondents said they “sometimes” or “often” paid attention to TV commercials. Respondents who reported paying attention to commercials had higher odds of requesting snacks (odds ratio [OR] = 3.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.55–4.60) and buying snacks (OR = 2.73; 95% CI = 2.17–3.43) seen on TV, and eating snacks while watching TV (OR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.23–2.07) than those who did not pay attention. However, frequency of watching TV was not significantly related to snacking.ConclusionAttention to TV commercials for snack foods may be one of the factors affecting the increase in obesity among children and adolescents in China.