David K. Dodd

Eating behavior of obese and normal-weight females in a natural setting☆

Eating behavior of 26 obese and 42 normal-weight females was observed in a field study to investigate a possible differences in eating styles. Total calories ordered, nutritional content, eating rate, bite size, and number of times the sandwich was replaced to the food tray were recorded in a fast-food restaurant by experimenters who attempted to remain as inconspicuous as possible. When obese and normal-weight subjects were matched on meal size and content, there were no significant group differences. However, when data were analyzed for all non-systematically selected subjects, the obese were found to order larger meals (p<0.05), consume proportionately less protein (p<0.02), and take larger bites (p<0.05). They also displayed a greater tendency to consume their sandwich. These results provide support for the notion that the eating styles of obese and normal-weight persons differ. Several nethodological concerns relating to laboratory and field research of the obese eating style were discussed.

Children of alcoholics, negative life events, and early experimentation with drugs

Questionnaires were completed by sixth-grade students and their parents in order to assess differences between children of alcoholics (COAs) and their peers, as well as the relations between family environment and childrens experimentation with alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Social competence and problematic behavior were also explored. The best predictors of early experimentation with alcohol, drugs, and tobacco were the experience of negative life events, family conflict, and lack of family cohesion, but not COA status per se. Differences were found between COAs and non-COAs in respect to family structure, parent education levels, and family environment. COAs were found to be significantly more likely than their peers to experiment with tobacco, but not alcohol or drugs. They also had a tendency to engage more frequently in delinquent behavior. Recommendations for future research and implications for preventive activities are discussed.

Variables associated with alcohol abuse among self-identified collegiate COAs and their peers

In order to investigate the interrelationship among children of alcoholics (COA) status, problem drinking, gender, and several psychosocial variables, a sample of college students completed a questionnaire that measured consequences of drinking, parental drinking habits, family environment, and personality. No relationship was found between COA status and either the likelihood or severity of problem drinking. Furthermore, COAs and non-COAs differed on only 4 of 15 psychosocial variables, suggesting a smaller impact of parental alcohol abuse than is commonly assumed. The variable most consistently related to problem drinking was social nonconformity, a measure of antisocial behavior. Findings suggest the importance of investigating the development and maintenance of antisocial behaviors as etiological factors in problem drinking among college students, rather than COA status per se.

Face-Ism and Facial Expressions of Women in Magazine Photos

Two studies investigated gender stereotyping in American magazine photos. Study 1 compares cover photos of men and women on face-ism, an index of the degree to which a photo focuses on the face versus the body. Photos of women are found to focus more on their bodies and photos of men on their faces, a finding consistent with previous research. This finding is strongly mediated by other variables, however, particularly the social role of the cover person. Study 2 compares the facial expressions, specifically the mouth positions, of men and women in advertisements from several popular magazines. Women are significantly more likely than men to be photographed with their mouths open, presumably portraying less serious expressions. Discussion focuses on how such photographic portrayals can subtly reinforce sex role stereotypes.

Environmental and personality differences between children of alcoholics and their peers.

Nonclinical, adolescent children of alcoholics (COAs) and their peers from nonalcoholic homes (CONAs) responded to questionnaires of environmental variables, depression, and anxiety. Multivariate (discriminant) analyses revealed several meaningful differences between the two groups. Although the two groups differed on the measures of anxiety and depression, environmental stressors contributed most to the discriminant function that differentiated between the two groups. Also, gender differences were discovered, suggesting that males and females perceive problem drinking differently and that home environments may be different for the two genders. Implications for research and intervention are discussed.

The relationship between gender, symptoms of bulimia, and tolerance for stress.

University students completed a questionnaire that included a measure of bulimia and a measure of tolerance for stress. Women reported significantly more symptoms of bulimia and a lower tolerance for stress than did men. Women in their first year on campus reported significantly more symptoms of bulimia than those not in their first year. For both women and men, a greater number of bulimic symptoms was associated with lower levels of stress tolerance. The present results suggest that women in their first year on campus should be targeted in intervention and prevention activities for eating disorders and that the relationship between disordered eating and stress is the same for both women and men.

Responding to the Bereaved: A Student Panel Discussion

A panel discussion in which students describe their own bereavement experiences is discussed. The purpose of this activity is to sensitize class members to bereavement issues and to discuss interpersonal responses that can provide emotional support for grieving individuals. Audience members have responded positively to the activity, reporting that it provides valuable information and increases confidence in their ability to respond to the bereaved. Panelists respond favorably to the opportunity to share their experiences and to function in a teaching capacity. Finally, by encouraging appropriate self-disclosure in a cooperative learning environment, the activity also seems to enhance class morale.

Teaching Behavioral Self-Change: A Course Model

The need for psychology departments to offer course instruction in behavioral self-change is presented. Results of a random survey suggest that less than 10% of psychology programs offer such instruction, despite evidence in the literature of its effectiveness and popularity with students. My own behavioral self-change course is described and specific suggestions for implementing the course are included. The course offers students an opportunity to apply proven psychological principles to their own lives and thus meets the needs for personal relevance of education. The course also remains true to scientific rigor by introducing and integrating several important concepts from research methods and behavior modification.

SNACKING, AVERSIVE IMAGERY, AND WEIGHT REDUCTION

This study was designed to explore the relationship between reduced snacking and weight loss and to evaluate the effectiveness of an aversive imagery procedure. Twenty-two participants completed an 11-wk. program designed to reduce the frequency of snacking. Reading an aversive “fat sheet” immediately prior to or after snacking, combined with a point system, was no more effective in reducing snacking than was the point system alone. Although incidence of snacking was significantly reduced, weight loss was greatest during the baseline period, when snacking was most frequent. The correlation between weekly weight loss and weekly number of snacks was nonsignificant. These results suggest that a single-minded focus on the reduction of snacking is unlikely to produce significant weight loss for most dieters.

Predicting Weight Gain in Young Adults

Two brief longitudinal studies were conducted to develop a model to predict weight gain among young adults. Predictor variables were derived from set point, externality, and activity theories of obesity. The weights of college students (109 men and 127 women in Study 1; 24 women in Study 2) were monitored over a 3- to 4-mo. period. Measures of eating restraint, externality, and self-reported activity were generally unrelated to weight gain, although eating restraint was positively related to weight gain for men (33% of the male sample) who dropped out of the study before the final weigh-in. Discussion focused on the extremely high test-retest correlations of weight and on the relatively high dropout rare among men, two factors which mitigated against the present development of a predictive model of weight gain.