Weight gain as a barrier to smoking cessation among military personnel.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationships between active-duty military status, military weight standards, concern about weight gain, and anticipated relapse after smoking cessation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Hospital-based tobacco cessation program. SUBJECTS: Two hundred fifty-two enrollees, of 253 eligible, to a tobacco cessation program in 1999 (135 men, 117 women; 43% on active duty in the military). MEASURES: Independent variables included gender, body mass index (weight/height2), and military status. Dependent variables included about weight gain with smoking cessation and anticipated relapse. RESULTS: In multivariate regression analyses that controlled for gender and body mass index, active-duty military status was associated with an elevated level of concern about weight gain (1.9-point increase on a 10-point scale; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0- to 2.8-point increase), as well as higher anticipated relapse (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 9.8). Among subjects who were close to or over the U.S. Air Force maximum allowable weight for height, the analogous OR for active-duty military status was 6.9 (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Occupational weight standards or expectations may pose additional barriers for individuals contemplating or attempting smoking cessation, as they do among active-duty military personnel. These barriers are likely to hinder efforts to decrease smoking prevalence in certain groups.

Binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa: differences in the quality and quantity of binge eating episodes.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the differences in the quantity and quality of binges between binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa. METHOD: Patients (N = 77) seeking treatment for eating disorders were assessed on binge content. RESULTS: Results suggest no differences in binge quantity with BED and bulimia, but there were differences in the binge quality. The binges of bulimics were higher in carbohydrates and sugar than those with BED. DISCUSSION: The higher levels of obesity of our BED individuals may account for the lack of differences between those with bulimia and BED. The importance of increasing our knowledge of the continuum of weight and binging is discussed.

The relationship between body image discrepancy and body mass index across ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine at what body mass index (BMI) body image discrepancy (BD) was reported in a community sample of 389 white, Hispanic, and black women. In addition, we assessed the trajectory of the BMI-BD relationship as BMI increases by ethnic group. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: All participants were assessed on height and weight and completed the Figure Rating Scale. RESULTS: We found no difference in the proportion of women in each ethnic group reporting BD. However, white women experienced BD at a lower BMI level (BMI = 24.6), and below the criterion for overweight (BMI = 25). In contrast, black and Hispanic women did not report BD until they were overweight (BMIs of 29.2 and 28.5, respectively). Compared with black and white women, Hispanic women registered increases in BD at smaller increases in BMI. DISCUSSION: These findings could have unhealthful implications for weight control behavior. The results encourage a closer look at ethnicity and BD, and their relationship to obesity and weight control.

Correlates of binge eating in Hispanic, black, and white women.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the severity and correlates of binge eating in White, Black, and Hispanic women. METHOD: Our sample consisted of 351 (55 White, 179 Black, and 117 Hispanic) women who were assessed on three proposed factors associated with binge eating (weight, depression, and ideal body image). RESULTS: Our results showed that binge eating symptoms were more severe in our sample of Hispanic versus Black or White women. Across all ethnic groups, women who binged more were heavier, more depressed, and preferred a slimmer body ideal. Binge eating severity was predicted by weight and depression in Hispanics and by depression in Whites. None of the proposed factors significantly influenced binge eating in Blacks. DISCUSSION: These results show ethnic differences in the correlates of binge eating and highlight the need for further comparative research on aberrant eating patterns.

Quantitative assessment of recruitment efforts for prevention trials in two diverse black populations.

BACKGROUND: Prevention efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality disparity between blacks and whites in the United States present a national health priority. However, participation of blacks in prevention trials has been low. The present study reports successful recruitment processes from two economically diverse black populations. METHODS: The two studies were independent projects, but both were part of a nationally funded collaboration on cardiovascular health. "Hip Hop to Health" is a 4-year randomized controlled trial aimed at dietary fat reduction and increased exercise among inner-city black families. The Fat Reduction Intervention Trial in African-Americans project is a 5-year trial to reduce total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol intake among black families from a working class community. RESULTS: The two populations differed on demographic characteristics. Direct presentation was the most effective recruitment strategy in the "Hip Hop to Health" program. In contrast, telephone recruitment and neighborhood canvassing were the more successful strategies for FRITAA. CONCLUSIONS: Although both populations were black and at comparable cardiovascular disease risk, the differing demographics between the groups made different recruitment strategies necessary. This study documented the labor-intensive quality of successful recruitment, and results suggest that successful recruitment requires strategies tailored to the needs, experiences, and environment of the target group.