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Weight goals in a college-age population
Drew A Anderson1, Jennifer D Lundgren, Jennifer R Shapiro
1University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, 12222, USA. drewa@csc.albany.edu
Obesity Research
|February 13, 2003
Summary
Young adults set generally reasonable weight loss goals, even when overweight. Most overweight participants desired weight loss that would still keep them in the overweight BMI range.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Previous research indicates unrealistic weight loss goals are common in older adults.
- Limited data exists on the weight loss aspirations of younger adult populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the weight loss goals of young adults.
- To compare weight loss goals between genders and weight status groups (nonoverweight vs. overweight).
Main Methods:
- 379 college students had height and weight measured.
- Participants reported "goal," "dream," "happy," "acceptable," and "disappointed" weights.
- Analysis involved ANOVAs examining absolute and percentage weight loss goals.
Main Results:
- Women generally set lower body mass index (BMI) goals than men.
- Nonoverweight individuals had lower BMI goals than overweight individuals.
- Most overweight participants accepted goals within the overweight BMI range; only overweight women sought goals requiring >15% weight loss.
Conclusions:
- Young adults in this study demonstrated generally realistic weight loss goals.
- Goal weights were more moderate than anticipated given societal pressures for thinness.
- Further research should explore factors influencing goal weight selection and their impact on dieting behaviors.