Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters
| dc.contributor.author | Senekal, Marjanne | |
| dc.contributor.author | Lasker, Gabrielle L | |
| dc.contributor.author | van Velden, Lindsay | |
| dc.contributor.author | Laubscher, Ria | |
| dc.contributor.author | Temple, Norman J | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2016-09-05T14:16:07Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2016-09-05T14:16:07Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2016-09-01 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2016-09-01T18:10:05Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | 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. | |
| dc.identifier.apacitation | Senekal, M., Lasker, G. L., van Velden, L., Laubscher, R., & Temple, N. J. (2016). Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters. <i>BMC Public Health</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21667 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.chicagocitation | Senekal, Marjanne, Gabrielle L Lasker, Lindsay van Velden, Ria Laubscher, and Norman J Temple "Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters." <i>BMC Public Health</i> (2016) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21667 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.citation | BMC Public Health. 2016 Sep 01;16(1):918 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1471-2458 | |
| dc.identifier.ris | TY - Journal Article AU - Senekal, Marjanne AU - Lasker, Gabrielle L AU - van Velden, Lindsay AU - Laubscher, Ria AU - Temple, Norman J AB - 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. DA - 2016-09-01 DB - OpenUCT DO - 10.1186/s12889-016-3576-x DP - University of Cape Town J1 - BMC Public Health LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2016 SM - 1471-2458 T1 - Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters TI - Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21667 ER - | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3576-x | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21667 | |
| dc.identifier.vancouvercitation | Senekal M, Lasker GL, van Velden L, Laubscher R, Temple NJ. Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters. BMC Public Health. 2016; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21667. | en_ZA |
| dc.language.rfc3066 | en | |
| dc.publisher | BioMed Central | |
| dc.publisher.department | Division of Human Nutrition | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher.institution | University of Cape Town | |
| dc.rights | Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 | |
| dc.rights.holder | The Author(s). | |
| dc.rights.uri | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | |
| dc.source | BMC Public Health | |
| dc.source.uri | https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/ | |
| dc.title | Weight-loss strategies of South African female university students and comparison of weight management-related characteristics between dieters and non-dieters | |
| dc.type | Journal Article | |
| uct.type.filetype | Text | |
| uct.type.filetype | Image | |
| uct.type.publication | Research | en_ZA |
| uct.type.resource | Article | en_ZA |