Associations among eating regulation and body mass index, weight, and body fat in college students: the moderating role of gender.
This study investigated associations between eating regulation behaviors and body mass index (BMI), weight, and percent body fat in male and female students over the first two years of college. Subjects included 328 college students (215 females and 113 males). Height and weight (via standard techniques), body composition (via bioelectrical impedance analysis), and eating regulation behaviors (using the Regulation of Eating Behavior Scale) were conducted two to three times during both the freshman and sophomore years. Significant associations between eating regulation and BMI, weight, and/or percent body fat were shown mostly in females. In females, higher BMI, weight, and/or percent body fat at the end of the second year of college were found in those with low levels of autonomous, intrinsic motivation, and identified regulation, and high levels of amotivation, while lower BMI, weight, and/or percent body fat were associated with high levels of autonomous, intrinsic motivation, and identified regulation, and low levels of amotivation. The findings that specific eating behaviors in females during the first two years of college influence BMI, weight, and/or percent body fat may be useful for inclusion in university programs focused on college student health to help decrease the risk of obesity and disordered eating/eating disorders in female college students.
College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States. Electronic address: sgropper@fau.edu.
Sareen S
SS
Gropper
Department of Psychology, University of Northern Iowa, 1062 Bartlett Hall, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, United States. Electronic address: dilbur.arsiwalla@uni.edu.
Dilbur D
DD
Arsiwalla
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management, 101 Poultry Science Bldg. Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. Electronic address: dlordnutrition@gmail.com.
Denali C
DC
Lord
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management, 101 Poultry Science Bldg. Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. Electronic address: huggikw@auburn.edu.
Kevin W
KW
Huggins
Department of Consumer and Design Sciences, 310 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. Electronic address: simmokp@auburn.edu.
Karla P
KP
Simmons
Department of Consumer and Design Sciences, 310 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. Electronic address: ulricpv@auburn.edu.
Pamela V
PV
Ulrich
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
Body fat; Body mass index; Body weight; College students; Eating regulation