title: Self-regulation of eating and physical activity is lower in obese female college students as compared to their normal weight counterparts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity is characterized, among other features, by overeating, reduced physical activity and an abnormal accumulation of body fat. These features are thought to result, at least in part, from the individual's inability to self-regulate their eating and physical activity behaviors (E&PaB). Self-regulation of the E&PaB is a three-step sequential process: self-observation, self-evaluation and self-reaction. However, it is yet unclear whether deficient self-regulation of E&PaB could predispose, facilitate and/or consolidate obesity. Unraveling this issue is fundamental in order to more precisely define the role of self-regulation of E&PaB in the management of obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research was focused on the question of whether or not self-regulation of E&PaB is related to obesity in female undergraduate students. This population segment seems especially vulnerable to developing obesity since they undergo a significant shift of their E&PaB upon their university enrollment. To address this question, a cross-sectional study with 108 female undergraduate students with normal weight (n = 80) or obesity (n = 28) was performed, in which self-regulation of eating habits and physical activity was measured by two validated scales and a personal data questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female undergraduate students displaying lower E&PaB self-reactions were consistently overweight or obese. In addition, a multivariate analysis identified high levels of self-reaction towards eating habits related to a minor presence of overweight issues or obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-regulation should be an essential component in the strategies for obesity prevention as an integral approach that must include orientation about healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. In addition, further studies on the effect of self-regulation in the treatment of the obesity are needed.
authors: Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Luis Castelazo Ayala s/n, Col. Industrial Ánimas, 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors: Yolanda
authors: Y
authors: Campos-Uscanga
authors: Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; Coordinación de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad # 3000, Distrito Federal, 04510, Mexico.
authors: Gabriel
authors: G
authors: Gutiérrez-Ospina
authors: Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Luis Castelazo Ayala s/n, Col. Industrial Ánimas, 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: Morales-Romero
authors: Área de Biología y Salud Integral, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Luis Castelazo Ayala s/n, Col. Industrial Ánimas, 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. tromogonzalez@uv.mx.
authors: Tania
authors: T
authors: Romo-González
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D000068356:Self-Control; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent women; Eating behavior; Physical activity behavior; Self-regulation; Weight control