title: A nationwide survey of weight control practices among middle-aged New Zealand women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence of weight control practices in a nationwide representative sample of 40-50 year old New Zealand women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In May 2009, a cross-sectional mail survey was conducted among 2500 women randomly selected from nationwide electoral rolls who were each mailed a self-administered questionnaire about their weight control practices, demographics and anthropometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After excluding ineligible recipients, a 66% participation rate was achieved (n=1601). Thirty-nine percent of the sample (n=630) reported trying to control their weight, and among those who were not, 69% (n=674) were attempting to prevent weight gain. The weight control practices most commonly used were cutting down on meal/snack size (42%) and cutting down on fats/sugars (45%). Smoking, exercising in a driven or compulsive way, and fasting were used at least once a week as weight control strategies by 14%, 22% and 5% of women, respectively. Other potentially health-damaging practices (i.e. laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, vomiting) were employed by 1-4% of women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most women reported weight control practices that were consistent with public health messages, however the use of smoking and exercising in a driven or compulsive way are of particular concern.
authors: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. caroline.horwath@otago.ac.nz.
authors: Sook Ling
authors: SL
authors: Leong
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Madden
authors: Andrew R
authors: AR
authors: Gray
authors: Caroline C
authors: CC
authors: Horwath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss