Journal
APPETITE
Volume 71, Issue -, Pages 301-306Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2013.09.001
Keywords
Dieting; Twin studies; Age of dieting onset; Body mass index
Categories
Funding
- NIH [K23 DK070826, R01 DK089036, R01AR051524, RC2HL103416]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objective: Using a twin study design, we sought to determine whether an early age at dieting onset is a risk factor for higher adult body mass index (BMI) or use of risky dieting practices, independent of genetic and familial factors. Method: Female twins ages 18-60 years (N = 950) from the University of Washington Twin Registry completed 2 surveys an average of 3 years apart. Analyses of individual twins and within-twin pairs tested associations of self-reported age at dieting onset with (1) adult BMI at baseline, (2) change in BMI between the two surveys and (3) risky dieting behaviors at baseline. Results: In analyses mimicking studies of unrelated individuals, an earlier age at dieting onset was associated with greater adult BMI (p = 0.003), higher Restraint Scale scores (p < 0.001), greater use of risky dieting behaviors (p = 0.04) and more weight cycling episodes (p < 0.001). In within-pair models that control for genetic and familial factors, the only significant association was between an earlier age at dieting onset and more weight cycling episodes (p = 0.006). Discussion: Underlying genetic and familial factors may influence associations of early dieting with higher adult BMIs and risky dieting practices in women. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available