“Restrained eating” vs “dieting”: how are they associated with body weight status, eating behavior and eating frequency among Polish adolescent
Joanna Bajerska 1, Joanna Maria Pieczyńska1, Małgorzata Woźniewicz 1, Ewelina Chawłowska 2, Karolina Łagowska 1, Maria Biskupska 2
1Poznan University of Life Science, Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań, Poland;
2Laboratory of International Health, Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Aim: This study aimed to assess how dieting and dietary restraint were associated with body weight status and eating frequency of certain food groups in a sample of 874 healthy Polish adolescents and young adults aged 16-18 years. Methods: Anthropometric parameters were measured using standardised techniques and instruments. The validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess habitual dietary intakes. Eating behaviour was assessed with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. The physical activity was as-sessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The odds ratio (OR) for overweight and obesity was 1.81 (CI95%:1.22;2.70, p=0.003) times higher among current dieters than nondieters. The odds of being overweight or obese were significantly lower with female sex [OR=0.40 (CI95%:0.27;0.59, p<0.001)]. BMI z-score and WHtR were significantly higher by 0.32 (CI95%:0.18;0.47,p<0.001) and 0.02 (CI95%:0.01;0.02,p<0.001) among dieters than nondieters respectively. Those variables did not differ among restrained and nonrestrained eaters. Dieters were more restrained by 1.71 (CI95%:1.35;2.07,p<0.001) and they had significantly higher disinhibition scores that nondieters did by 0.71 (CI95%:0.33;1.09,p<0.001). Dieters (especially males) declared less frequent eating of meats & eggs, milk & dairy products, sweets, snacks & fast foods, and sweetened beverages. Restrained eaters (especially females) limited the frequency of eating most unhealthy food items. Conclusions: Effective nutrition education programmes targeted at weight man-agement in adolescents should be gender-specific and pay attention not only to common dietary mistakes but also to possible uncontrolled eating behavior, that may contribute to the development of eating disorders in this target population.
Key words: adolescents, dieting, restrained eaters, disinhibition, eating behavior
