Weight loss practices and body weight perceptions among US college students.
OBJECTIVE
The authors assessed associations between body weight perception and weight loss strategies.


METHODS
They randomly selected male and female college students (N = 38,204).


METHODS
The authors conducted a secondary data analysis of the rates of weight loss strategies and body weight perception among students who completed the National College Health Assessment survey.


RESULTS
Half of respondents (50%) were trying to lose weight, although only 28% of students were overweight or obese. Also, 12% of respondents had inaccurate body weight perception. Women and men with inaccurate body weight perception were significantly more likely to engage in inappropriate weight loss strategies than were those with accurate body weight perception. Of all students attempting to lose weight, 38% used both diet and exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
These data show that college students are interested in weight loss and that body weight perception plays an important role in the desire to lose weight.
Wharton
Christopher M
CM
Department of Nutrition, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA. christopher.wharton@asu.edu
Adams
Troy
T
Hampl
Jeffrey S
JS
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D015431:Weight Loss