The diet and health knowledge survey: development of a short interview format.

The primary aim of this study was to create a condensed short-form version of the structured interview named the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey (DHKS 1994-1996) via factor analysis. Data from 5765 participants of the 1994-1996 Diet and Health Knowledge Survey were used in the factor analysis. Appropriate sampling weights were used in the multivariate analyses (n=5233) that compared subgroups (i.e., ethnic group, sex, etc.) on the subscales of the DHKS. A 50-item, 12-factor condensed version of the 149-item original DHKS was derived from the analyses. Multivariate analyses, using age and education as covariates, indicated significant differences in dietary beliefs, practices, and behaviors for individuals of different ethnic groups, sex, dieting status, and BMI. Based on our analyses, the condensed short-form version of the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey appears to be a convenient and efficient tool, used in sections or in its entirety, for examining various dietary practices and beliefs of adults. The results from analysis of the short-form DHKS indicate that although a very large proportion of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese, only a small proportion report current dieting. Examination of the DHKS indicates that although adults varied in their dietary beliefs and practices, dieters tended to report healthier dietary practices and attitudes than non-dieters. BMI level was positively related to self-reported amount of fat, cholesterol, and calories consumed.

Americans on diet: results from the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of dieting to lose weight or for a health reason in a representative sample of US adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Data from 10,144 participants of the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII 1994-1996) were used in the analysis. All data were self-reported. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis included: cross-tabulation of dieting status by sociodemographic characteristics; comparison of the type of diet, the reason for dieting, and the source of diet used by men and women; comparison of the nutrient intake and health status of dieters and nondieters. RESULTS: Prevalence of dieting varied by gender and race, being highest in white women (21%) and lowest in Hispanic men (8%). About 71% of all dieters reported that they were dieting to improve health, and 50% reported that they were dieting to lose weight. Dieters reported lower intakes of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, calcium, and selenium compared with nondieters. The rate of chronic health conditions was higher among dieters than nondieters. Self-reported physical activity was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dieting varies according to sociodemographic characteristics. The reason for dieting and the type of diet used by dieters also vary and need to be studied further. Our results suggest that the dieters generally consumed a more nutrient-dense diet than the nondieters but still low in certain nutrients.

Mediators of weight loss in a family-based intervention presented over the internet.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the process variables involved in a weight loss program for African-American adolescent girls. Several process variables have been identified as affecting success in in vivo weight loss programs for adults and children, including program adherence, self-efficacy, and social support. The current study sought to broaden the understanding of these process variables as they pertain to an intervention program that is presented using the Internet. It was hypothesized that variables such as program adherence, dietary self-efficacy, psychological factors, and family environment factors would mediate the effect of the experimental condition on weight loss. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants were 57 adolescent African-American girls who joined the program with one obese parent; family pairs were randomized to either a behavioral or control condition in an Internet-based weight loss program. Outcome data (weight loss) are reported for the first 6 months of the intervention. RESULTS: Results partially supported the hypotheses. For weight loss among adolescents, parent variables pertaining to life and family satisfaction were the strongest mediating variables. For parental weight loss, changes in dietary practices over the course of 6 months were the strongest mediators. DISCUSSION: The identification of factors that enhance or impede weight loss for adolescents is an important step in improving weight loss programs for this group. The current findings suggest that family/parental variables exert a strong influence on weight loss efforts for adolescents and should be considered in developing future programs.