Dieting behaviors of young women post-college graduation

College Student Journal, Dec, 2007 by LuAnn Soliah, Janelle Walter, Deeanna Antosh

Obesity is a major public health epidemic in the United States. During the past decade, obesity has increased across all education levels, including college graduates. The purpose of this research was to study the health decisions that young women, post-college graduation make regarding their food intake. The subjects in this study completed a questionnaire that assessed their dieting patterns, eating habits, and their psychological affinity for food. Weight status and the perceived cultural preference for thinness continue to influence women, even after college graduation. Based on this study, three groups of women appear to be at an increased risk for unhealthy eating and poor food selection decisions. These include the: 1)overeater, 2) frequent fast-food patron, and 3) chronic dieter.

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Obesity is a major public health epidemic in the United States. Americans are gaining weight at an alarming rate. (1) A sedentary, busy life combined with abundant, energy-dense food has led to an increase in the percentage of adults who are overweight or obese (2, 3).

Currently, 65% of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese, indicating a minority (<35%) of adults have a normal, healthful body mass index (BMI) (4). The average adult in the United States is gaining one to two pounds per year, thus the prevalence of obesity is predicted to continue to increase. (4) During the past decade, obesity has increased across all education levels, including college graduates. (1,5)

Obesity is more common among women than men, 27% vs. 21%, respectively. (6) Among women this concern is frequently associated with body dissatisfaction and impaired self-esteem. (7) Consequently, many overweight and obese women engage in dieting throughout their lives and experience periods of weight cycling. Binge eating and poor health status are linked to this imbalance. (8) Even women who are within an acceptable weight range frequently follow restrictive weight loss diets. (9)

Dieting for weight loss or weight maintenance is a common practice among young women. National surveys have reported that 84% of women have attempted to lose weight by dieting. (10) Some of these women use drastic methods to achieve weight loss: fad dieting, laxative use, smoking, or extreme exercise routines. These unhealthy, damaging practices usually provide a false hope for dieters due to initial success followed by eventual failure. (11) Furthermore, chronic and rigid dieting appears to result in eating binges and adverse physical and psychological problems. (12, 13)

The young adult woman in today's work force faces mounting work obligations, long commutes, family obligations, and less exercise time. Moreover, the Western culture socializes with food, and decisions on what to eat are frequently made in haste. Eventually poor decisions become the norm, and these choices often lead women to harbor feelings of depression and diminished self-confidence.

Despite our national preoccupation with appearance, weight loss is rarely achieved through dieting. Only a small percentage of people manage to keep the weight off permanently, and many diets are both unhealthy and unhelpful. (14) For these reasons, it is important to understand the complexity of weight control efforts among young women and the cultural influence in pressuring them toward perpetual dieting routines.

Women are often attracted to diet programs that promise instant, no-stress weight loss. Even though these programs have no physiological validity, the promises are both appealing and convincing . (14) The American Dietetic Association takes the position that successful weight management requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors including daily exercise and sustainable, sensible eating practices. (14)

Few studies have focused on the transition from college life (18 to 23 years of age) to adulthood (post-graduation) regarding dieting patterns and eating habits. For example, does dieting intensify when women experience pressure at work? How long and to what extent do the cultural messages dominate college educated women's thoughts? Additionally, more information needs to be collected about the connection between our emotions and food behaviors.

Purpose

The general purpose of this research was to study the health decisions that young women, post-college graduation make regarding their food intake. The specific objectives were to collect data on: 1) dieting patterns, 2) eating habits, and 3) the psychological affinity for food.

Methods

Study Population

Young, female subjects who had recently graduated from a private southern university (between 1992 and 2002) were selected to complete an eating and exercise habits survey. The Director of Alumni Programs generated a computerized, random sample of 1,000 women from the entire population of 13,500 female graduates, 1992-2002. The list included their names and addresses.

The participants were 78% Caucasian, 7% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 6% African American, and 3% other. Approximately 40% of the group had a parental financial background that was classified as high-income, 50% as middle-income, and 10% as low-income.