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ETD Abstract Container

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Eating, exercise, and quality of life: The role of body image among adult women attempting weight loss

Olson, KayLoni
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1499253043259153

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Excess weight is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. Unfortunately, overweight and obesity persist despite increased awareness of and access to weight management strategies. Recent efforts focus on identifying factors that prevent individuals from engaging in healthy and sustainable eating and exercise behaviors to facilitate weight loss. Body dissatisfaction is an established risk factor for unhealthy eating and unhealthy exercise behavior. Despite its high prevalence among overweight and obese adults, body dissatisfaction has received limited recognition as a potential barrier to weight loss. The current study was designed to 1) evaluate the relationship of body dissatisfaction to health behaviors important for weight loss (eating and exercise) and to quality of life, 2) evaluate the treatment effects of a body dissatisfaction intervention developed for adolescent females (the Body Project) among adult women attempting weight loss, and 3) evaluate the effects of the intervention on eating and exercise behavior and on adherence to behavioral recommendations for weight loss. Forty-four overweight and obese women (71% Caucasian; 37.9 ±7.6 years of age; BMI: 30.5 ± 2.9) were recruited in three cohorts from the Columbus metropolitan area. Prospective participants were screened for eligibility including self-reported body shape and weight concerns and desire for weight loss. Eligible participants completed a 90- minute baseline assessment including body dissatisfaction, internalization of the thin ideal, eating and exercise behaviors, and quality of life. At the time of baseline assessment, all participants received brief psychoeducation regarding current national guidelines for healthy weight loss. Participants were then randomized to one of two four-week treatment conditions: a control group (n=21) that engaged in daily tracking of dietary intake and physical activity; or an intervention group (n=23) that completed daily tracking in addition to attending four weekly, one-hour body image meetings. At baseline, greater body dissatisfaction was associated with more emotional eating and lower eating self-efficacy but not with exercise self-efficacy. Higher body dissatisfaction was also associated with lower mental and weight-related quality of life. Stigma moderated the relationship of body dissatisfaction to emotional eating and quality of life while body appreciation moderated the relationship between body image and quality of life. At the end of the four-week intervention period, participants in both conditions achieved BMI reductions and reported reduced body dissatisfaction, and improved mental, physical, and weight-related quality of life. There were no improvements in thin ideal internalization, eating and exercise-related variables, or negative affect in either condition. In addition, there were no differences between conditions in adherence to dietary and physical activity recommendations or daily tracking. Results of the study confirm that body dissatisfaction is associated with behaviors and beliefs that may impact weight loss, but the body image intervention utilized in the current study failed to produce any unique effect on body image, eating behavior and exercise behavior, or quality of life beyond the health behavior tracking control condition. The results provide additional support for the growing literature highlighting body image disturbances as a public health concern.
Charles Emery, PhD (Advisor)
Ruchika Prakash, PhD (Committee Member)
Tracy Tylka, PhD (Committee Member)
153 p.
Psychology
Body Dissatisfaction, body image, weight loss, weight management, obesity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Olson, K. (2017). Eating, exercise, and quality of life: The role of body image among adult women attempting weight loss [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1499253043259153

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Olson, KayLoni. Eating, exercise, and quality of life: The role of body image among adult women attempting weight loss . 2017. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1499253043259153.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Olson, KayLoni. "Eating, exercise, and quality of life: The role of body image among adult women attempting weight loss ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1499253043259153

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1499253043259153
848
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.