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    Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and dieting attitudes among Caucasian and African American college students in Eastern North carolina: A cross-sectional survey

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    Author
    Sira, Natalia; Pawlak, Roman
    Abstract
    A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the rates of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25), and eating attitudes among college students. Data were collected at a large southeastern university. Adolescents (ages 18-25) self-reported weight and height (to calculate BMI), and, in addition to demographic information, completed the eating attitudes (EAT 26) scale to assess dieting tendencies. Significance of the mean BMI differences between gender and ethnic background were assessed by one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Chi-square was used to determine whether the rate of those with BMI≥25 between gender and ethnic background was statistically significant. While 52.7% of the students' BMI were within the normal weight category, 15.2% were underweight, 21.3% were overweight, and 10.8% were obese. The rate of BMI≥25 differed by gender and ethnicity, with males and African Americans having higher rates. About 12 % of the participants reported disturbed eating behavior, which is lower than previously reported. Even so, results support the generally held belief that disturbed eating attitudes and unhealthy dieting are common among college students, especially among females. At the same time, disturbed eating attitudes are not just the domain of young female students; about 10% of college males reported disturbed eating attitudes. Findings of this study call for obesity prevention/intervention and lifestyle modification outreach programs among college students. Weight status and unhealthy eating behaviors of college students should be a concern to health care professionals. While obese young adults will likely remain obese throughout their adult life, excessive dieting among students, which is linked to eating disorders and other health hazards, does not provide healthy and adequate alternatives for maintaining a normal BMI. Implications for obesity prevention programs are discussed.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10342/5714
    Subject
     Obesity; students; dieting; ethnicity; gender 
    Date
    2010-02
    Citation:
    APA:
    Sira, Natalia, & Pawlak, Roman. (February 2010). Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and dieting attitudes among Caucasian and African American college students in Eastern North carolina: A cross-sectional survey. Nutrition Research and Practice, (4:1), p.36-42. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10342/5714

    Display/Hide MLA, Chicago and APA citation formats.

    MLA:
    Sira, Natalia, and Pawlak, Roman. "Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and dieting attitudes among Caucasian and African American college students in Eastern North carolina: A cross-sectional survey". Nutrition Research and Practice. 4:1. (36-42.), February 2010. May 19, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10342/5714.
    Chicago:
    Sira, Natalia and Pawlak, Roman, "Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and dieting attitudes among Caucasian and African American college students in Eastern North carolina: A cross-sectional survey," Nutrition Research and Practice 4, no. 1 (February 2010), http://hdl.handle.net/10342/5714 (accessed May 19, 2022).
    AMA:
    Sira, Natalia, Pawlak, Roman. Prevalence of overweight and obesity, and dieting attitudes among Caucasian and African American college students in Eastern North carolina: A cross-sectional survey. Nutrition Research and Practice. February 2010; 4(1) 36-42. http://hdl.handle.net/10342/5714. Accessed May 19, 2022.
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