The association between the body mass index of first-year female university students and their weight-related perceptions and practices, psychological health, physical activity and other physical health indicators.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between the weight status of first-year female students (FYFS) and various weight management-related characteristics to identify possible components of a weight management programme for students.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Female residences at a South African university.


METHODS
A total of 360 FYFS.


RESULTS
Mean (+/-standard deviation (SD)) body mass index (BMI) of the FYFS was 21.8 +/- 2.6 kg m(-2), with 7.2% being underweight, 81.9% normal-weight, 10.0% overweight and 0.8% obese. Underweight, normal-weight and overweight students differed with regard to their perception of their weight (P < 0.001), weight goals (P < 0.001) and previous weight-loss practices (P < 0.001). Mean+/-SD score on the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was 8.5 +/- 9.0 with 8.4% classified as high scorers. Mean+/-SD score on the 34-item Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was 87.7 +/- 32.2, with 76.1% classified as low, 11.9% as medium and 11.9% as high scorers. The self-concept questionnaire indicated that 36.7% had a high, 43.9% a medium and 19.4% a low self-concept. Higher BMI correlated with a higher BSQ score (P < 0.001), a lower self-concept (P = 0.029) and a higher EAT-26 score (P < 0.001). Smoking was prevalent amongst 13.1% of students, and 51.2% used vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Students who quitted smoking had higher (P = 0.006) BMI (22.7 +/- 2.9 kg m(-2)) than those who never smoked before (21.6 +/- 2.5 kg m(-2)). Normal-weight students were more physically active than underweight or overweight students (P = 0.038).


CONCLUSIONS
The specific weight management-related needs of FYFS include information about supplement use, smoking, realistic weight goals, safe and sound weight-loss methods, weight cycling, body-shape perceptions, eating attitudes and behaviours, self-concept and physical activity. Interventions aimed at correcting these problems should target all students, regardless of their BMI.
Cilliers
Janetta
J
Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, PO Box X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. janetta@sun.ac.za
Senekal
Marjanne
M
Kunneke
Ernesta
E
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D010465:Perception; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept; D012907:Smoking; D013019:South Africa; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*