Julia A. Watkins

Relationship Between Body Image and Body Mass Index in College Men

Objective and Participants: The authors examined cognitive and affective dimensions of body image of a randomized sample of 188 college men on the basis of body mass index (BMI). Methods: They conducted chi-square tests and ANOVAs to determine differences between 4 BMI groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) on demographics and body image measures. Results: The authors found significant differences in regard to total body image (p < .001), weight or shape concern (p < .001), and body dissatisfaction (p < .001). BMI was significantly correlated with negative body image. Overweight and obese participants reported significantly higher levels of negative body image than did normal- and underweight participants. Overweight participants reported significantly higher weight and shape concerns than did underweight, normal-weight, and obese participants. In regard to body dissatisfaction, underweight, overweight, and obese participants reported significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction than that reported by normal-weight participants. Conclusions: BMI may be an important factor in identifying potential body image disorders in college-aged men.

Translation as a Function of Modality: The Potential of Brief Interventions

The purpose of this article is to examine the potential of brief intervention (BI) as a modality for translating health behavior intervention research into practice. We discuss common definitions of BI, applications within common models of translation research, effects of BI on a range of health behaviors and across various populations, current and potential mechanisms, and uses for dissemination to practice. A number of advantages of BI suggest they are well suited for translating behavioral research. In addition, findings from 13 systematic reviews of BI effects show their potential versatility. Basic research on motivation, decision making, and persuasion may be applied to the design of BIs (Type 1 translation). Suggestions for translating BI research into practice are discussed (Type 2 translation). The article concludes that efforts to use BIs to translate research into practice are currently underdeveloped. Recommendations are provided for using BI in translating research into practice.

Relationship between spiritual well-being and binge eating in college females.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of spiritual well-being in college female non-binge, objective binge and binge-trait eaters. Therefore, this study aimed to measure spiritual well-being in non-binge, objective binge and partial/full-syndrome binge eating disorder college females. Survey research was conducted using a randomized sample of 809 female students. The sample was categorized into three binge eating categories: nonbinge, objective binge, and binge eating trait. Chi-Squares and Analysis of Variance determined binge eating group differences on demographics, global spiritual well-being, religious well-being, and existential well-being. Significant differences were found among groups for global spiritual well-being (p≤0.000), religious well-being (p<0.000), and existential well-being (p≤0.000). Higher levels of binge eating severity were associated with lower global spiritual and existential well-being scores. On measures of religious well-being, significant differences existed between the non-binge and the binge eating trait groups. The results suggest that spiritual well-being and especially existential well-being may be indirectly associated with the severity of binge eating.

Health implications of food patterns in Belize.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of Belizeans was conducted in 3 cities of Belize. Thirty-one interviews were analyzed. The mean age was 25 years, including 15 men (48.4%) and 16 women (51.6%) ranging from 19 to 50 years. Rice and beans were the most popular foods (n = 21). The tortilla was the most commonly consumed breakfast grain item. Men and women had inadequate intakes of vitamin A, calcium, and potassium. In women, iron and folate intake were also found to be low, and sodium intake was high among men. Health implications are discussed.

Social, Cultural, Economical, and Practical Factors

• Throughout the centuries, people from different parts of the world have developed eating habits that by experience have proven beneficial for the type of foods available and health and well-being of that culture.

Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think, Brian Wansink, Ph.D.

Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think represents 20 years of research by Brian Wansink, Director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and the John S. Dyson Professor of Marketing and Nutritional Science at Cornell University. The book provides an empirical yet creative approach elucidating the hidden psychology of food marketing and the influence it has on overeating. Within each chapter, Wansink provides innovative and compelling research examining evidence of different latent environmental factors that lead to unintentional consumption of calories above and beyond our psychological awareness or physiological requirement. Each chapter closes with a “Reengineering Strategy” delineating both cognitive and behavioral methods to increase awareness of these factors and actively reduce “mindless eating.” Integrated within the text are multiple citations, with an extensive chapter-specific reference list of relevant research serving to put Wansink’s findings into context and support the text. Chapter one, entitled “The Mindless Margin,” begins with illustrations of Dr. Wansink’s research in which the findings disclose evidence of “mindless eating” as the result of multiple psychological and environmental cues. The chapter further delineates how latent factors lead to a gradual increase in caloric intake of as little as 100 calories per day and the equally gradual and subtle weight gain, which results from this increase in calories over time. According to Wansink, gradual yet unexplained weight gain is the result of the “mindless margin” (p. 30), and further defines as “the margin or zone in which we can either slightly overeat or slightly undereat without being aware of it.” Wansink grounds his theory of the mindless margin within the context of current knowledge that willpower related to caloric intake is easily superseded by stimuli that surround us, and that feelings of deprivation may contribute to overeating. He thereby places this degree of change in caloric intake as a level that creates neither feelings of deprivation nor awareness that willpower should be engaged to prevent weight gain. The significance of Wansink’s research is further highlighted as he states that this undetected margin of caloric intake change can “cause us to lose 10 lbs or to gain 10 pounds” within a 1-year period of time. Subsequent chapters describe the innovative research Wansink has conducted to examine a variety of environmental stimuli in which “mindless eating” occurs. To illustrate the different situations and factors within the eating environment, the author’s research targets a diverse array of scenarios in which to analyze the effect of subtle influences on eating. Examples of these influential situations include portion size, packaging of food products,