Weight loss behaviors and smoking in college students of diverse ethnicity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate weight concerns, weight-loss practices (including smoking) in an ethnically diverse group of university students (58% Hispanic).


METHODS
Students (n=1,852) completed a survey addressing lifestyle behaviors and weight-control practices.


RESULTS
A greater percentage of females than males practiced weight-loss behaviors. More Hispanic and non-Hispanic white students reported dieting, exercising, and using weight loss pills to lose weight. Only 4 of the females reported their primary reason for smoking was to control their weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender as well as ethnicity was a dominant factor influencing weight-loss behaviors/concerns of these young adults.
George
V A
VA
Department of Nutrition, Florida International University, Miami 33199, USA. georgev@fiu.edu
Johnson
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P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D015431:Weight Loss
D001067:Appetite Depressants