The Influence of Intuitive Eating on Weight Satisfaction in College Students

Abstract Objectives The objective was to examine the relationship between intuitive eating behavior and weight satisfaction in college students. Methods A cross-sectional convenience sample of college students completed an online survey that evaluated frequency of intuitive eating, weight satisfaction (happy/neutral/upset), and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Independent t-tests were used to compare differences in desired weight change, BMI, and days feeling healthy and full of energy between students who identified as an intuitive eater and those who did not. An ANOVA was used to examine differences between weight satisfaction groups and frequency of intuitive eating. Results Participants (N = 655) were 19.8 ± 1.5 years old, female (63%), and white (84%). College students that identified as intuitive eaters (61%) reported significantly less desire to change their weight than non-intuitive eaters (10.76 ± 11.21 vs. 16.98 ± 13.13, P < 0.01), had a healthier BMI 24.2 ± 4.7 vs. 25.7 ± 5.8, P < 0.01), and reported more days per month (d/m) feeling healthy and full of energy (12.2 ± 8.6 vs. 2.8 ± 7.5, P < 0.001). A main effect of intuitive eating was found for weight satisfaction, (F(1,2) = 49.158, P < 0.001). Individuals who were happy with their current weight reported significantly greater intuitive eating activity than individuals who did not care about their current weight (P < 0.01) and those who were upset about their current weight (P < 0.001). Conclusions This data shows that students who identified as eating intuitively reported having a higher body weight satisfaction, a healthier BMI, and reported more d/m feeling healthy and full of energy. This research justifies the need for health programming to focus on encouraging intuitive eating behavior, especially for college students who are at risk for unhealthful diet practices. Funding Sources This project was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME0022104 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station. NJ Agriculture Experiment Station.

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The Impact of Grit on Health Outcomes in College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab038_067 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 455-455

Author(s):

Amelia Sullivan ◽

Leigh Neptune ◽

Kayla Parsons ◽

Ashley Reynolds ◽

Carol Byrd-Bredbenner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Experiment Station ◽

College Undergraduate ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives The objective was to examine the relationship between grit and health outcomes in college undergraduate students. Methods A cross-sectional convenience sample of college undergraduate students completed an online survey assessing Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable Screener, and the 2-item Hager Food Insecurity Screener. Grit was assessed by generating a mean score using the 8-item short grit scale. Independent t-tests were used to compare health outcomes between students who reported above/below the average grit score of the sample. Chi-square tests were used to examine group differences between grit level and prevalence of food insecurity. Results Participants (N = 655) were 19.8 ± 1.5 years old, mostly female (63%), and white (84%). The average grit score was 3.27 ± 0.54 out of 5. Results indicated that students who were grittier than average (n = 372) reported fewer days/months (d/m) with poor mental health (8.1 ± 8.5 vs. 11.6 ± 9.6, P < 0.001), fewer d/m feeling sad/depressed (6.2 ± 7.7 vs. 9.9 ± 9.3, P < 0.001), more d/m with restful sleep (12.9 ± 9.8 vs. 10.3 ± 8.6, P < 0.001), more d/m feeling very healthy and full of energy (12.6 ± 8.8 vs. 8.4 ± 7.5, P < 0.001), and ate more servings of fruits and vegetables per day (2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 1.32, P < 0.01). Grittier participants were also less likely to report being food insecure (16.0%) vs. less grittier participants (23.3%), P < 0.05. Conclusions This data indicates that students who were grittier than average reported better HRQOL, consumed a more healthful diet, and were more likely to be food secure. This provides justification for future research to explore grit as a mediating factor that may contribute to better health outcomes, especially in populations particularly susceptible to experiencing poor HRQOL and food insecurity. Funding Sources This project was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME0022104 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station. NJ Agriculture Experiment Station.

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Examining the Relationship Between Intuitive Eating and Diet Quality Among College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa059_007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1290-1290

Author(s):

Julia Borelli ◽

Giselle Pereira Pignotti ◽

Adrianne Widaman

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Online Survey ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Intuitive Eating ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Objectives College students in the US tend to have low diet quality due to a confluence of interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental factors. Restrictive dieting is commonly used for weight management but often ineffective in the long term and can lead to dangerous eating behaviors. Intuitive eating is an adaptive form of eating that has gained interest as an alternative to restrictive dieting due to its successful use in eating disorder recovery and correlation with decreased body mass index in healthy populations. The objective of the current study was to identify if higher intuitive eating, as measured by the intuitive eating scale (IES-2), correlated with increased diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) in a college sample. Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants completed an online survey containing the IES-2 questionnaire which provides a total score for intuitive eating and four subscale scores representing the main behaviors of intuitive eating. The dietary intake of participants was assessed with up to three 24-hour diet recalls, which were completed over the phone. A total of 55 participants (40 females and 15 males) completed the survey and a minimum of two 24-hour diet recalls, which were used to calculate the HEI-2015. Independent sample t-test and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results The total IES-2 scores were higher for males than females (82.9 ± 8.1 vs. 76.3 ± 11.2, P = 0.04). The average total HEI-2015 score was 59.5 ± 15.1 and did not differ between gender (P = 0.93). The total IES-2 score was not significantly correlated with the total HEI scores (r = −0.218, P = 0.11), and one subscale of the IES-2, the Unconditional Permission to Eat subscale, was negatively correlated with the total HEI score (r = −0.418, P < 0.01) and BMI (r = −0.335, P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of the study do not support that intuitive eating is correlated with diet quality, furthermore, increased scores of the Unconditional Permission to Eat subscale of intuitive eating was correlated with a lower diet quality suggesting that intuitive eating and diet quality may be separate constructs that should be addressed individually. Funding Sources None.

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Characteristics associated with changes in food security status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibaa110 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Soldavini ◽

Hazael Andrew ◽

Maureen Berner

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Security Status ◽

The Usa ◽

Security Module ◽

Adult Food

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.

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Evaluating the Association Between Artificial Sweetener Intake and Indicators of Stress and Anxiety

International Quarterly of Community Health Education ◽

10.1177/0272684x211022150 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0272684X2110221

Author(s):

Benjamin Miller ◽

Paul Branscum

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety Reduction ◽

Artificial Sweetener ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Very High

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) consumption and stress and anxiety, among a sample of college students. Two-hundred and twenty-seven students from a large mid-western university participated in this cross-sectional study. Students completed an online survey that evaluated NNS using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Stress and anxiety were evaluated using previously validated instruments. Most students reported very low/low/average concern for stress (63.9%), and had low/moderate anxiety (82.3%). Participants experiencing high and very high levels of stress had significantly higher NNS consumption compared to those with a very low and low risk, and concern for stress ( p < .046; d = 0.28). There was no difference however for NNS intake and anxiety. Reduction of artificial sweetener intake may be associated with stress levels among college students. However, more research is needed to examine any causal relationship between artificial sweetener intake and stress.

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Psycho-social factors associated with mental resilience in the Corona lockdown

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-020-01150-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ilya M. Veer ◽

Antje Riepenhausen ◽

Matthias Zerban ◽

Carolin Wackerhagen ◽

Lara M. C. Puhlmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Online Survey ◽

Positive Association ◽

Social Resilience ◽

Current Crisis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Resilience Factors

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is not only a threat to physical health but is also having severe impacts on mental health. Although increases in stress-related symptomatology and other adverse psycho-social outcomes, as well as their most important risk factors have been described, hardly anything is known about potential protective factors. Resilience refers to the maintenance of mental health despite adversity. To gain mechanistic insights about the relationship between described psycho-social resilience factors and resilience specifically in the current crisis, we assessed resilience factors, exposure to Corona crisis-specific and general stressors, as well as internalizing symptoms in a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 24 languages during the most intense phase of the lockdown in Europe (22 March to 19 April) in a convenience sample of N = 15,970 adults. Resilience, as an outcome, was conceptualized as good mental health despite stressor exposure and measured as the inverse residual between actual and predicted symptom total score. Preregistered hypotheses (osf.io/r6btn) were tested with multiple regression models and mediation analyses. Results confirmed our primary hypothesis that positive appraisal style (PAS) is positively associated with resilience (p < 0.0001). The resilience factor PAS also partly mediated the positive association between perceived social support and resilience, and its association with resilience was in turn partly mediated by the ability to easily recover from stress (both p < 0.0001). In comparison with other resilience factors, good stress response recovery and positive appraisal specifically of the consequences of the Corona crisis were the strongest factors. Preregistered exploratory subgroup analyses (osf.io/thka9) showed that all tested resilience factors generalize across major socio-demographic categories. This research identifies modifiable protective factors that can be targeted by public mental health efforts in this and in future pandemics.

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Sex Differences in the Association Between Food Insecurity and Obesity Among College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 181-181

Author(s):

Aseel El Zein ◽

Karla Shelnutt ◽

Sarah Colby ◽

Geoffrey Greene ◽

Wenjun Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

High Food ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and obesity and to examine whether it varies by sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2017 among college students from eight U.S. institutions. Participants (n = 683) completed the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and had their weight and height measured by researchers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the sex-specific associations between food insecurity and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. Results Overall, 25.4% of students identified as food insecure and 10.5% were obese. The prevalence of obesity increased as the level of food insecurity increased, from 5.2% for those with high food security, 13.4% for those with marginal food security, to 17.4% and 21.6% for students with low and very low food security. In logistic regression analysis, marginal, low and very low food security students had an odds ratio of 2.83 (95% CI: 1.43, 5.57), 3.86 (95% CI: 1.88, 7.91), and 5.05 (95% CI:, 2.44, 10.48) of obesity compared to students with high food security, exhibiting a dose-response relationship. Among females, having marginal (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.75), low (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.40, 12.47), or very low food security (OR = 7.08, 95% CI: 2.60, 18.41) predicted higher odds of obesity compared to female students with high food security. Among males, those with low food security had higher odds of obesity (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 1.78, 20.7). Conclusions The association between food insecurity and obesity in U.S. college students remained after adjustment for multiple socio-economic factors. Overall, food insecure females experienced an increase in the risk of obesity as food insecurity increased; however, only males with low food security had an increased risk of obesity. Programs directed toward obesity prevention need to address any level of food insecurity as a risk factor in females, and target males with low food security. Although beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that programs to reduce food insecurity may help prevent obesity in college students. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2014–67,001-21,851.

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Assessing food insecurity prevalence and associated factors among college students enrolled in a university in the Southeast USA

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018003531 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 383-390 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ruth Wooten ◽

Marsha Spence ◽

Sarah Colby ◽

Elizabeth Anderson Steeves

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Graduate Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Public University ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University System ◽

Grade Point ◽

Southeast Usa ◽

Final Sample

AbstractObjectiveTo assess rates of food insecurity (FI) among college students enrolled at a large public university system across one US state and identify factors associated with experiencing FI.DesignCross-sectional online survey administered to eligible, enrolled students (n 38 614) across three campuses within the university system, with 5593 students responding (4824 final sample after applying exclusion criteria, 12·5 % response rate). FI was assessed using the US Department of Agriculture’s Adult Food Security Survey Module. Descriptive statistics were conducted to calculate FI status and identify sample characteristics. Associations between FI status and independent variables were assessed using bivariate analyses (χ2 and ANOVA tests) and multivariate logistic regression.SettingLarge public university system, Southeast USA.ParticipantsEnrolled college students (excluding freshman, <18 years of age).ResultsThirty-six per cent of students were classified as FI. After controlling for confounders, factors that were significantly associated with increased likelihood of FI included previous FI (P<0·001; OR=4·78), financial factors and self-reported grade point average ≤3·85. Seniors were significantly more likely experience FI than graduate students (P=0·004, OR=1·41). A significant relationship was not identified between FI and meal plan participation, and no differences in FI were found between graduate students and individuals with sophomore or junior standing.ConclusionsThis research identifies high rates of FI among college students enrolled in a large public university system in the Southeast USA, as well as selected factors related to FI. Programmes to assist college students experiencing FI need to be developed and tested.

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Comparing Differences Between College Students’ Health Perceptions and Health Behaviors

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa059_058 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1341-1341

Author(s):

Kayla Parsons ◽

Leigh Neptune ◽

Onycha Carlson ◽

Elizabeth Matthews ◽

Jade McNamara

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

College Students ◽

Physical Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Objectives The objective of this research was to compare health behavior differences between young adults who perceive their health as excellent or good and those who perceive their health as fair or poor. Methods A cross-sectional, convenience sample of college students was used for the study. Students were recruited via campus email and were asked to complete an online survey consisting of the Center for Disease Control's Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) modules, self-reported height and weight which was used to calculate body mass index (BMI), and a food frequency questionnaire to assess fruit and vegetable intake. Independent t-tests were used to assess differences between groups. Results Participants (N = 797) were 20 ± 1.4 years old, the majority were female (65.5%), and white (92.3%). The results showed that students who reported their health as “excellent, very good, or good” (n = 616) versus those that reported their health as “fair or poor” (n = 181) consumed more servings of fruit per day (0.84 ± 0.7 vs. 0.56 ± 0.5, P < 0.001), more servings of vegetables per day (1.6 ± 1.2 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2, P < 0.001) and had a lower BMI (24.2 ± 4.1 vs. 26.1 ± 5.3, P < 0.001). They also had significantly better HRQOL, with reporting more days/month when they were in good physical health (3.9 ± 5.1 vs. 8.2 ± 8.4, P < 0.001), less days/month feeling depressed (6.7 ± 7.7 vs. 15.1 ± 10.4, P < 0.001), more days/month when they were happy/full of energy (12.7 ± 8.3 vs. 6.4 ± 6.1, P < 0.001), and less days/month when they did not get enough sleep (13.0 ± 9.0 vs. 17.8 ± 9.6, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions This data shows that students who perceived their general health to be excellent, very good, or good, reported healthier behaviors compared to students who perceived their health to be fair or poor. This research provides justification that college aimed health and wellness initiatives should focus on both mental and physical health of college students in order to shape positive behaviors that impact overall health-related quality of life. Funding Sources Bushway Research Fund, University of Maine.

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Pulse Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Cooking Experience of Midwestern US University Students

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12113499 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3499

Author(s):

Donna M. Winham ◽

Elizabeth D. Davitt ◽

Michelle M. Heer ◽

Mack C. Shelley

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Online Survey ◽

Daily Intake ◽

The United States ◽

Chi Square ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Chi Square Analysis

Many American college students fail to meet dietary guideline recommendations for fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Pulses are a subgroup of legumes, harvested solely for dry grain seeds within a pod. Commonly consumed pulses include dry beans, dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Pulses are high in shortfall nutrients and could fill some nutritional gaps of college students. However, little is known about pulse intakes among young adults. The study aims were: (1) to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pulse consumption; and (2) to describe experiences of preparing dry pulses among college students. A convenience sample of 1433 students aged 18–30 enrolled at a Midwestern university in the United States completed an online survey in April 2020. Demographic and attitude variables were compared by the monthly count of pulse types eaten using chi-square, analysis of variance, and logistic regression modeling to predict pulse type intakes. Higher numbers of pulse types eaten was associated with being White, vegetarian/vegan, higher cooking self-efficacy, positive attitudes toward pulses, and greater daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Knowledge and experience of cooking dry pulses was low, with canned pulses purchased more often. College students may not be consuming pulses due to unfamiliarity with them, low knowledge of nutrition benefits, and a general lack of cooking self-efficacy. Increased familiarization and promotion surrounding pulses may increase their consumption.

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