Do parents engage in weight- and health-focused conversations with their emerging adult children and are there cross-sectional associations with weight and well-being outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Research indicates harmful associations between parental weight-focused conversations and markers of pediatric health and well-being. However, little is known about the prevalence and consequences of parent conversations focused on weight or health behaviors (i.e., physical activity or nutrition) with emerging adult children. METHODS: Data are from the 2018 follow-up survey of the population-based EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) in cohort from Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. Participants were emerging adults at follow-up with ages 18-26. Regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics were conducted. RESULTS: Over two-thirds (68%) of mothers and 44% of fathers engaged in weight-focused conversations with their emerging adult children; 25% of both parents reported engaging in conversations focused only on health behaviors; and 8% of mothers and 26% of fathers reported not engaging in either type of conversation. Health-focused conversations by both parents were associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating behaviors, higher intake of fruit and vegetables, and psychosocial well-being in emerging adult children. Weight-focused conversations with both parents were associated with higher BMI and disordered eating behaviors in emerging adults. There were gender moderated associations of paternal conversations about weight and health with vegetable intake, binge eating, and depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION: The high prevalence and negative health outcomes associated with weight-focused conversations coupled with the low prevalence and positive health outcomes associated with health-focused conversations by parents suggests the need for public health messaging and intervention development aimed at reducing parental weight talk with emerging adult children.

Identifying methods used to manage weight and shape by first year university students: A qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify current strategies used by first-year university students to lose weight, maintain weight, or change their body shape. METHODS: First-year university students (n = 661) completed an open-ended, web-based survey. Cross-sectional data were analyzed qualitatively using a reflexive thematic approach to identify strategies used to lose weight, maintain weight, or alter body shape/composition. Thematic maps were constructed for each weight- and shape-related goal. RESULTS: Four main types of strategies were used to achieve all three weight or shape-related goals among first-year college students: changes in diet, changes in exercise, self-monitoring, and disordered eating. One behavioral strategy observed across all weight-related goals was prioritizing protein consumption, including protein gained from supplementation. However, there were also differences in strategies by weight- or shape-related goal. For example, only participants aiming to lose or maintain weight reported mindful strategies for monitoring diet. Individuals aiming to alter body composition reported heterogeneity in goal-related intentions, targeting specific body parts through exercise, and extensive supplement use. CONCLUSIONS: First-year college students use a variety of strategies to manage their weight and shape. Some strategies were observed across goals, whereas others are specific to the weight- or shape-related goal. More research is needed to understand the impacts, both positive and negative, of using the strategies identified in the present study.

Social media use and weight bias internalization: association moderated by age and weight perception.

BACKGROUND: The current study examined whether weight perception or age moderated associations between time spent on image-based social media and weight bias internalization (WBI). METHODS: Data come from the baseline visit of the Tracking Our Lives Study, a randomized control trial of college women (n = 200). Participants completed questionnaires assessing time spent on social media (continuous, overall and individual platforms Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat), WBI (continuous), weight perception (perceive their weight as "overweight" vs. do not perceive their weight as "overweight"), age (continuous, 18-49 years), and confounders (race/ethnicity, parent education, sexual orientation, and BMI). Adjusted zero-inflated Poisson regressions were performed to determine if weight perception and age moderated associations between time spent on image-based social media and WBI. RESULTS: As expected, we found a positive association between overall time spent on image-based social media and WBI (ß = 0.826, p < 0.001). In moderation analyses, the strength of the association was weakened among women who perceived their weight as "overweight" (ß=-0.018, p = 0.006). Associations also weakened with age (ß=-0.001, p < 0.001). The association between time spent on Instagram and WBI was also weakened with age (ß=-0.014, p = 0.018), which was the only significant moderation found for individual social media platforms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that image-based social media use is more strongly associated with increases in WBI among younger women.

There is research reporting that college women who spend an increased amount of time on image-based social media apply more negative-based weight stereotypes to oneself, leading to weight-based self-degradation. This is known as weight bias internalization. However, there may be things that make social media more or less harmful for college women. The goal of this study was to see if a woman's age or their perception of their weight changed the relationship between the amount of time spent on image-based social media and weight bias internalization. Data come from 200 college women who completed questionnaires to determine time spent on social media, their level of weight bias internalization, how they perceived their weight, age, and other demographics. Results showed that women who perceive their weight as "overweight" had a weaker association between time spent on all image-based social media and weight bias internalization, as did older women. Our results suggest that younger women may be more susceptible to influences on social media that increase their weight bias internalization. These results can be used to identify those who may benefit from interventions aimed at reducing weight bias internalization and prevent later health consequences as a result of having more weight bias internalization.

A mixed-methods longitudinal examination of weight-related self-monitoring and disordered eating among a population-based sample of emerging adults.

BACKGROUND: Weight-related self-monitoring (WRSM) apps are used by millions, but the effects of their use remain unclear. This study examined longitudinal relationships between WRSM and disordered eating among a population-based sample of emerging adults. METHODS: Participants (n = 138) were recruited from EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time study) to participate in a mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) longitudinal study to understand the impacts of WRSM. In 2018, participants (Mage=21.7 ± 1.9 years) reported motivations for use and types of WRSM apps used. Dependent variables collected in 2022 (Mage=25.7 ± 1.9 years) included past year total number of disordered weight control behaviors, disordered muscle building behaviors, compulsive exercise, and binge eating. Linear and logistic regressions were used adjusting for sociodemographics, body mass index, and baseline disordered eating. Semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants using WRSM apps for weight management demonstrated an increase in disordered weight control behaviors over time (ß = 0.894, p = .012). Using WRSM apps for "healthy" eating was marginally associated with an increase in disordered weight control behaviors. (ß = 0.673, p = .052). Qualitatively, participants reported varied temporality between WRSM and disordered eating, but believed that app use encouraged restriction/binge cycles and normalized disordered eating. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest there may be individual variation in the relationships between WRSM and disordered eating, but that using WRSM apps with the motivation of managing eating or weight may increase disordered eating in some. Additionally, WRSM apps may normalize or encourage disordered eating. Therefore, safeguards, including screening and monitoring, are needed to ensure WRSM does not cause or escalate harm among WRSM users.

For some, weight-related self-monitoring apps, like MyFitnessPal and Fitbit, may cause or worsen disordered eating over time among emerging adults. However, it seems as though the motivation for self-monitoring (e.g., for managing eating or weight) may be more important than what they are monitoring when it comes to disordered eating risk.

Helicopter Parenting Among Socio-Economically and Ethnically/Racially Diverse Emerging Adults: Associations with Weight-Related Behaviors.

Helicopter parenting, a parenting style defined by over-involvement, may lead to poor health outcomes. However, research has primarily focused on children and adolescents from White, high socio-economic families, with little research examining weight-related health or with emerging adult children. The current study examined associations with emerging adult diet, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) among a diverse population-based sample of parent and emerging adult dyads (n = 919). Helicopter parenting was highest among lower socioeconomic households and those identifying as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Helicopter parenting was associated with both healthy and less healthy dietary behaviors across ethnic/racial groups, but was not associated with physical activity or BMI. Greater consideration of the cultural context related to helicopter parenting is needed before making conclusions about its benefits or harms.