ERIC Number: EJ805268
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Risk Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity in College Students
Desai, Melissa N.; Miller, William C.; Staples, Betty; Bravender, Terrill
Journal of American College Health, v57 n1 p109-114 Jul-Aug 2008
College obesity is increasing, but to the authors' knowledge, no researchers to date have evaluated risk factors in this population. Objective: The authors assessed whether abnormal eating perceptions and behaviors were associated with overweight in college students. Participants and Methods: A sample of undergraduates (N = 4,201) completed an online survey containing demographic questions and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) questionnaire. The authors stratified participants into normal-weight and overweight/obese groups and evaluated physical activity, EAT-26 score, purging behaviors, and answers to selected overweight screening questions on the basis of body mass index. A modified EAT-26 score of [greater than or equal] 11 was associated with overweight (p = 0.016). Results: Compared with normal-weight peers, overweight participants displayed an increased fear of bingeing, preoccupation with food, desire to be thinner, and engagement in dieting behavior. Mean body mass index also increased with age and physical inactivity (p less than 0.001). Conclusions: Because physical inactivity, disordered eating perceptions, and disordered behaviors are associated with increased rates of overweight and obesity, identification of these risk factors in obese youths may increase understanding of weight loss barriers and facilitate the treatment of adolescent obesity. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: College Students, Obesity, Body Composition, Physical Activities, Physical Activity Level, Risk, Eating Habits, Surveys, Measures (Individuals), Questionnaires, Age, Adolescents, Therapy, Body Weight, Eating Disorders
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A