Abstract
Purpose
To characterise individuals who reported present and past weight loss behaviours on psycho-behavioural factors known to influence body weight, e.g. overeating, dietary restriction.
Methods
An online questionnaire was distributed to a university community. Questions pertaining to present weight loss, previous weight loss, eating behaviour tendencies, perceived stress and sleep quality were answered by 3,069 individuals. Body weight and height were self-reported.
Results
Present and past weight loss behaviours were prevalent in the sample, with 33.3 % of the participants who reported trying to lose weight, 33.1 % who reported having previously lost weight (>10 lbs), and 18.8 % who reported repeated weight loss behaviour (i.e. present and past weight loss behaviours). Trying to lose weight and previous weight loss were both independently associated with increased risk for psycho-behavioural characteristics known to be associated with obesity, e.g. overeating tendencies, perceived stress, short sleep duration. This risk was particularly elevated among the underweight/normal-weight individuals who reported repeated weight loss behaviours. Indeed, adjusted odds ratios for reporting restrictive and overeating tendencies, perceived stress and short sleep for these individuals were significantly higher compared to their underweight/normal-weight peers who did not report repeated weight loss behaviours (adjusted odds ratios 4.7, 2.7, 1.8, and 1.8, respectively, p < 0.01 to <0.0001).
Conclusions
Normal-weight individuals reporting weight loss behaviours are characterised by a psycho-behaviour profile which may further increase their risk of weight gain.
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Acknowledgments
This project was supported by the Ministère de l’éducation, du loisir et du sport du Québec and the Comité relatif au cadre de référence pour une saine alimentation et un mode de vie physiquement actif de l’Université Laval. ARG and EPL are supported by the Heart and Lung Research Institute of Québec (CRIUCPQ). V.P. is a research scholar from the Fonds de recherche du Quebec en santé.
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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
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Gallant, A.R., Pérusse-Lachance, É., Provencher, V. et al. Characteristics of individuals who report present and past weight loss behaviours: results from a Canadian university community. Eat Weight Disord 18, 395–401 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0057-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0057-4