title: Attitudes to food differ between adolescent dieters and non-dieters from Otago, New Zealand, but overall food intake does not.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is increasing pressure for adolescents to be thin and this may not always be acted upon in healthy ways; for example, certain foods or food groups may be restricted or meals skipped. As foods are not eaten in isolation it is useful to examine dietary patterns and associated psychosocial factors to better understand eating behaviour. The aim of the present study was to identify correlates of 'dieting' in adolescents from Otago, New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based survey was conducted in 2009, collecting information on food consumption and factors potentially associated with food consumption. Principal components analysis was used to investigate dietary patterns. Correlates were examined in 1329 students using multiple logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen secondary schools in the province of Otago, New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students from school years 9 and 10 (mean age 14.1 (SD 0.7) years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no relationship between dieting and dietary patterns. Those not dieting were 17 % (95 % CI 7, 26 %) more likely to eat lunch and 22 % (95 % CI 3, 37 %) more likely to eat an evening meal on one more weekday than those who were dieting. Those who reported dieting were more likely to report healthiness (OR = 2.18, 95 % CI 1.11, 4.26) as an important factor when choosing food and that eating fruit and vegetables makes you better looking. No sex by dieting interaction was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cohort, while there was no difference in actual food consumption between dieters and non-dieters, there were significant differences in attitudes to food.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Anna S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mandic
authors.forename: Winsome R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Parnell
authors.forename: Paula M L
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Skidmore
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016015:Logistic Models; D062409:Lunch; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D009520:New Zealand; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy; D014675:Vegetables