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A recent study of 200 women found that self esteem, impulsiveness towards food and not taking the time to consider food choices played a major part in higher incidences of obesity for 50% of those in the study group.

The remaining half of the women in the study fell into two other categories, and were found to be the least likely to be leaning toward being obese. Women in both of these two to other categories types are concerned about nutrition and want themselves and their family to eat healthy.

“The basic attitude that people have about food is related to the likelihood that they’re at risk for obesity and weight gain,” said researcher Dennis Degeneffe, a study co-author.

The study, which appears in the December issue of the journal Health Education & Behavior, placed 200 women into five groups based on their attitudes about food. The women had an average age of 46, were well-educated (two-thirds had a four-year degree or higher) and 86 percent were white.

The researchers then compared the groups of women by measurements such as percentage of body fat, waist size and body mass index (BMI).

Those deemed to be “concerned about nutrition” (determined to eat well) and “creative cooks” (focused on food for their families) scored the lowest in the weight categories. “Impulsive eaters” and “guilt-ridden dieters” scored the highest, with “busy cooking avoiders” in the middle.

“Women in the middle group tend to lead busy lifestyles and are often preoccupied with other activities and responsibilities, with eating generally taking a back seat,” said Degeneffe, a research fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Food Industry Centre.

Other professionals such as nutritionists who have already reviewed the study have confirmed that they see they same trends in their own client base. One registered dietitian, said the categories defined in the study “truly parallel what I see with my clients and women I talk to regarding how food and nutrition fit into their lives.”

“I have found that women who have a big responsibility to take care of their families appear to do less well at taking care of themselves, food-wise,” she said. In some cases, she said, food helps them to feel rewarded and cope with their lives.

Although specific solutions are not identified in the study, it appears that the maternal nurturing role driven through instinct sets women up to place family before their own needs, including their ultimate health. A more long term view of family success should convince women that their life or “staying alive” is crucial for the best case future family scenario.  This means that the short term sacrifices women make for their families will ultimate harm everyone in a women’s life. If women were to focus more on their own needs and take better care of themselves they would have the physical and emotional wellness they need to continue taking care of their families for the long term.”

Image by Malingering via Flickr

Treating these kinds of women can be tough, said Lona Sandon, an assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern and national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “Health and nutrition may be important to them, but fast food and  convenience often wins,” she said. “It is very challenging to come up with solutions to help these women lose weight if they are not willing to see the future impact of their time use today.” Women must consider giving up some of the many other day to day activities that drain them so they can focus on their own health needs that impacts both them and sets their family “children” on perpetuating poor food attitudes.

Health Education & Behavior, a peer-reviewed journal of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), publishes research on critical health issues for professionals in the implementation and administration of public health information programs. For information, contact Laura Drouillard at (202) 408-9804.

Sudo, N, et al. Relationship between attitudes and indicators of obesity for midlife women. Health Education & Behavior 36(6), 2009.

Source: Health Behavior News Service