ABSTRACT
This study uses segmentation analyses to identify five distinct subgroups of U.S. midlife women (n = 200) based on their prevailing attitudes toward food and its preparation and consumption. Mean age of the women is 46 years and they are mostly White (86%), highly educated, and employed. Attitude segments (clusters of women sharing similar attitudes) are a significant predictor of obesity indicators. Mean body mass index and percentage of body fat are lower for the "concerned about nutrition" attitude segment compared with the "guiltridden dieter" and "impulsive eater" attitude segments. Mean waist circumference is highest in "impulsive eater" compared with the "concerned about nutrition" segment. Those in the "busy cooking avoider" segment have a significantly higher energy intake compared with women in other attitude segments. Tailoring a weight management intervention according to attitude segments of midlife women may enhance effectiveness.
Subject(s)
Attitude , Diet/psychology , Feeding Behavior/psychology , Food , Obesity/psychology , Adult , Body Mass Index , Body Weights and Measures , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Women's HealthABSTRACT
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between type of eating occasion based on need state segments experienced by 200 midlife women (46+/-6 years) and food group, nutrient, and energy intake. Women completed an Eating Occasion Questionnaire for 3 eating occasions over a 3-day period for which they maintained diet records. Cluster analysis segmented 559 eating occasions into six need states. Energy, total fat, and cholesterol consumption per occasion were highest in "routine family meal" occasions of which more than 60% were dinner and eaten at home with their children. The percentage of eating occasions in which fruits/vegetables were eaten was also highest in "routine family meal," followed by "healthy regimen." More than half of "indulgent escape" eating occasions occurred away from home and about one-third were experienced as a snack. Saturated fat and sweets intakes were the highest in the "indulgent escapes" occasions. Eating occasions experienced by women according to needs surrounding the occasion should be considered when developing tailored interventions to improve intake.
Subject(s)
Diet , Eating/psychology , Adult , Cholesterol, Dietary/administration & dosage , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet Records , Dietary Carbohydrates/administration & dosage , Dietary Fats/administration & dosage , Eating/physiology , Energy Intake , Family , Female , Fruit , Humans , Middle Aged , Social Environment , VegetablesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify a comprehensive set of distinct "need states" based on the eating occasions experienced by midlife women. DESIGN: Series of 7 focus group interviews. SETTING: Meeting room on a university campus. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 34 multi-ethnic women (mean age = 46 years). PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Descriptions of eating occasions by "need states," specific patterns of needs for the occasion. ANALYSIS: Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for common themes using qualitative data analysis procedures. FINDINGS: Eight need states suggested a hypothetical framework reflecting a wide range in emotional gratification. Need states with a low level of emotional gratification were dominated by sets of functional needs, such as coping with stress, balancing intake across occasions, meeting external demands of time and effort, and maintaining a routine. Food was a means for reinforcing family identity, social expression, and celebration in need states with high levels of emotional gratification. Occurrence of need states varied by day and meal/snack occasion, with food type and amount dependent on need state. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Eating occasions are driven by specific sets of needs ranging from physical/functional to more emotional/social needs. Addressing need states may improve weight intervention programs for midlife women.
Subject(s)
Eating/physiology , Eating/psychology , Obesity/prevention & control , Overweight/prevention & control , Emotions , Feeding Behavior/psychology , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Middle Aged , Obesity/psychology , Overweight/psychology , Weight GainABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify individual and environmental factors affecting intake of calcium-rich food and beverages by early adolescent Hmong girls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of girls, in-depth interviews with parents. SETTING: Girl Scout and 4-H programs in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience samples of 10-13-year-old Hmong girls (n = 102) and their parents (n = 20). ANALYSIS: Spearman correlation analysis, constant comparative method. VARIABLES MEASURED: Individual and environmental factors for girls and reported intake of calcium-rich food and beverages. RESULTS: Few girls observed parents drinking milk or were encouraged by parents to drink milk. Many reported low intake of milk with dinner meals and snacks. Only one third reported that calcium-rich food such as yogurt, cheese, and tofu were available at home, and intake of these food items was associated with availability. Parents accommodated child preferences and had few expectations for their child to eat certain calcium-rich food items. Parents did not commonly consume dairy products but indicated they made milk available for children. Knowledge of calcium requirements was limited, but most parents related calcium to bone health. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Environmental factors may limit calcium intake by Hmong girls. Education should involve parents and children and address environmental factors that affect intake.
