Samantha L Hahn1,2,3, Katherine W Bauer3, Niko Kaciroti4, Daniel Eisenberg5, Sarah K Lipson6, Kendrin R Sonneville3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. 2. Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. 3. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 4. Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 5. Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California Los Angeles School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, USA. 6. Department of Health Law Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize patterns of weight-related self-monitoring (WRSM) among US undergraduate and graduate students and examine associations between identified patterns of WRSM and eating disorder symptomology. METHOD: Undergraduate and graduate students from 12 US colleges and universities (N = 10,010) reported the frequency with which they use WRSM, including self-weighing and dietary self-monitoring. Eating disorder symptomology was assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Gender-specific patterns of WRSM were identified using latent class analysis, and logistic regressions were used to identify differences in the odds of eating disorder symptomology across patterns of WRSM. RESULTS: Among this sample, 32.7% weighed themselves regularly; 44.1% reported knowing the nutrition facts of the foods they ate; 33.6% reported knowing the caloric content of the foods they ate; and 12.8% counted the calories they ate. Among women, four patterns of WRSM were identified: "no WRSM," "all forms of WRSM," "knowing nutrition/calorie facts," and "self-weigh only." Compared with the "no WRSM" pattern, women in all other patterns experienced increased eating disorder symptomology. Among men, three patterns were identified: "no WRSM," "all forms of WRSM," and "knowing nutrition/calorie facts." Only men in the "all forms WRSM" pattern had increased eating disorder symptomatology compared with those in the "no WRSM" pattern. DISCUSSION: In a large sample of undergraduate and graduate students, engaging in any WRSM was associated with increased eating disorder symptomology among women, particularly for those who engaged in all forms. Among men, engaging in all forms of WRSM was the only pattern associated with higher eating disorder symptomology.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize patterns of weight-related self-monitoring (WRSM) among US undergraduate and graduate students and examine associations between identified patterns of WRSM and eating disorder symptomology. METHOD: Undergraduate and graduate students from 12 US colleges and universities (N = 10,010) reported the frequency with which they use WRSM, including self-weighing and dietary self-monitoring. Eating disorder symptomology was assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Gender-specific patterns of WRSM were identified using latent class analysis, and logistic regressions were used to identify differences in the odds of eating disorder symptomology across patterns of WRSM. RESULTS: Among this sample, 32.7% weighed themselves regularly; 44.1% reported knowing the nutrition facts of the foods they ate; 33.6% reported knowing the caloric content of the foods they ate; and 12.8% counted the calories they ate. Among women, four patterns of WRSM were identified: "no WRSM," "all forms of WRSM," "knowing nutrition/calorie facts," and "self-weigh only." Compared with the "no WRSM" pattern, women in all other patterns experienced increased eating disorder symptomology. Among men, three patterns were identified: "no WRSM," "all forms of WRSM," and "knowing nutrition/calorie facts." Only men in the "all forms WRSM" pattern had increased eating disorder symptomatology compared with those in the "no WRSM" pattern. DISCUSSION: In a large sample of undergraduate and graduate students, engaging in any WRSM was associated with increased eating disorder symptomology among women, particularly for those who engaged in all forms. Among men, engaging in all forms of WRSM was the only pattern associated with higher eating disorder symptomology.
Authors: Jason M Nagata; Vivienne M Hazzard; Kyle T Ganson; Samantha L Hahn; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer; Marla E Eisenberg Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2021-12-14 Impact factor: 5.791
Authors: Samantha L Hahn; Vivienne M Hazzard; Katie A Loth; Nicole Larson; Laura Klein; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: Prev Med Date: 2022-01-21 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Samantha L Hahn; Niko Kaciroti; Daniel Eisenberg; Heidi M Weeks; Katherine W Bauer; Kendrin R Sonneville Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet Date: 2021-08-20 Impact factor: 5.234
Authors: Samantha L Hahn; Carly R Pacanowski; Katie A Loth; Jonathan Miller; Marla E Eisenberg; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: J Eat Disord Date: 2021-03-10