Causes of Weight Change
Weight Loss Study Aim
To describe self-reported weight change and beliefs about the causes of
weight change and to examine whether these vary by sex and weight status.
Weight Loss Study Method
This cross-sectional population study examined data from the 1995 Australian
National Health and Nutrition Surveys. A
total of 10624 randomly-selected adults provided data.
Weight Loss Study Measurements
Objectively measured height and weight, perceptions of current weight
status, self-reported weight change over the past year, and reasons for
weight change.
Weight Loss Study Results
Thirty-five percent of participants reported a weight gain in the last
12 months, with females, and those already overweight more likely to report
a recent increase in weight. Approximately one in five participants reported
a recent weight loss. Those who had recently gained weight were more likely
to perceive themselves as overweight regardless of actual weight status.
Commonly reported reasons for weight gain included a change in physical
activity level (52 percent males and 35 percent females) and a change
in the amount of food/drink consumed (30 percent males, 27 percent females).
Similar reasons were given for weight loss.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
Findings of widespread reported weight gain, particularly among those
already overweight, suggest Australia's obesity epidemic may be worsening.
Strategies are urgently required to better inform individuals about the
factors impacting on their weight in order to prevent further weight gain.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(2001)
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