Obesity Concerns & Weight Satisfaction
In Female Taiwanese College Students
Weight Study
This study was designed to obtain baseline data regarding desired body
weight, weight satisfaction, self-perceived weight categories, approaches
to weight loss of female college students in Taiwan. The characteristics
of subjects who are dieting were also assessed. One thousand, fifty-seven
female college students participated in this study.
Weight Loss Study Results
In general, subjects perceived themselves as being heavier than their
actual weight categories. The percentage of subjects who perceived they
were overweight or obese was much higher than the percentage of subjects
who were actually in these categories (51.4 percent vs. 16.2 percent).
Above 20 percent of subjects in both severely underweight and underweight
categories use some methods to lose weight. More than 60 percent of subjects
in acceptable weight categories still want to lose weight. A higher percentage
of subjects chose exercise than dieting as the major weight-loss method.
Subjects in the DS/D (dissatisfied/dieting) group did not score higher
points for knowledge and attitude in nutrition, and they tended to measure
their body weight more frequently, spent more time for exercise and for
reading nutrition information; they also skipped lunch more frequently
than others.
Weight Loss Study Conclusions
The results indicate that risk factors leading to eating disorders are
common among Taiwanese college females. Dietitians, physicians and other
health professionals should be on the alert to identify patients with
eating disorders.
Source: Institute of Nutritional Science,
Chungshan Medical and Dental College, Taiwan. 1999
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