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Body size perceptions and eating attitudes in elderly men
J Stevens1, S Kumanyika, J E Keil
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, CB 7400, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Obesity Research
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Eating attitudes and body image concerns are present in older men. Race and weight status influence dieting behaviors and body size perceptions in elderly Black and White men.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Most research on eating attitudes, dieting, and body image focuses on younger adults and women.
- Limited data exists on these factors within elderly male populations, particularly concerning racial differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine eating attitudes, dieting behaviors, and body size perceptions in elderly Black and White men.
- To investigate the influence of race, education, and weight status on these attitudes.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 334 Black and White men aged 55-98 from the Charleston Heart Study cohort.
- Data collected on dieting habits, guilt after overeating, and body mass index (BMI).
- Statistical analyses examined associations between eating attitudes and demographic/health variables.
Main Results:
- Overweight White men were more likely to diet and feel guilty after overeating compared to slimmer White men.
- Black men dieted less overall than White men; overweight Black men did not diet more than slimmer Black men.
- White men desired a lower BMI than Black men, indicating racial differences in body size ideals.
Conclusions:
- Race and weight status significantly impact eating restraint and body size perceptions in elderly men, mirroring findings in younger populations and women.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted health interventions in aging male populations.