Self-Weighing Behaviors in Young Adults: Tipping the Scale Toward Unhealthy Eating Behaviors?

Abstract

Purpose This study examined associations between frequency of self-weighing and healthy weight control behaviors, unhealthy weight control behaviors, muscle enhancing behaviors (e.g. steroid use, protein powders), and psychological well-being (i.e., self-esteem, depression, body satisfaction) in a community sample of young adults. Methods Data were drawn from Project EAT-III (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults), the third wave of a population-based study. Participants included young adults (n=2,287, mean age=25.3) from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Results Self-weighing a few times per week or more frequently was reported by 18% of young adult women and 12% of young adult men. Linear regression models, adjusted for body mass index and demographic characteristics, indicated that in both women and men more frequent self-weighing was associated with a higher prevalence of dieting, both healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviors, and muscle-enhancing behaviors. Additionally, young women who reported more frequent self-weighing were more likely to report binge eating. More frequent self-weighing was also associated with more depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem in women and lower body satisfaction in young men. Conclusions More frequent self-weighing is associated with healthy and unhealthy weight control practices, use of muscle enhancing behaviors, and poorer psychological well-being in young adults. Young adults engaging in self-weighing behaviors should be screened for these health indicators and counseled as appropriate. Prior to recommending self-weighing as a weight-monitoring tool, health care providers should ensure that young adults are not at risk for an unhealthy preoccupation with body weight or shape.

Daily Self-Weighing to Control Body Weight in Adults

“…They concluded that “young adults who monitored their weight a few times per week or more reported significantly more depressive symptoms (in women) and poorer body satisfaction (in men) compared with young adults who monitored their weight less often” (p. 472). While these results appear to contradict previously discussed studies (Gokee-Larose et al, 2009; Wing et al, 2007) and support the original warning by Ogden and Whyman (1997), the results of the Quick et al (2012) study were correlational. It is equally plausible that depressed females or males with poor body satisfaction chose to weigh themselves more frequently than nondepressed, body-satisfied females or males as it is that frequent self-weighing causes depression or poor body satisfaction.…”

“…Using food substitutes (meal replacements) is a weight control strategy with strong supporting evidence and was endorsed in position papers of the (former) American Dietetic Association (Fitch & Keim, 2012; Jonnalagadda, Jones, & Black, 2005; Seagle, Strain, Makris, & Reeves, 2009). In addition to finding relationships between weighing and unhealthy weight-control practices, Quick et al (2012) reported positive relationships between weighing and health weight-control practices as well. They concluded that “young adults who monitored their weight a few times per week or more reported significantly more depressive symptoms (in women) and poorer body satisfaction (in men) compared with young adults who monitored their weight less often” (p. 472).…”

“…One mediating factor between self-weighing frequency and the behaviors addressed by Quick et al (2012) may be feelings about one’s shape and weight. Klos, Esser, and Kessler (2012) surveyed undergraduate students to investigate the relationship between frequency of self-weighing and several different dimensions of body image using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q).…”

“…However, in women, a significant correlation was found between self-weighing frequency and Appearance Orientation (adjusted r 2 = .16; p < .05), Fitness Evaluation (adjusted r 2 = .18; p < .05), Overweight Preoccupation (adjusted r 2 = .31; p < .001), and Shape Concern (adjusted r 2 = .20; p < .01). As with the Quick et al (2012) study, it is not possible to determine whether these perceptions about one’s body lead to frequent weighing or vice versa. Though they provide useful information, these studies do not provide evidence to support or refute the safety of self-weighing in healthy young adult populations.…”

Young Adults’ Attitudes and Perceptions of Obesity and Weight Management: Implications for Treatment Development

“…Some research indicates that frequent self-weighing in young adulthood is associated with binge eating and depression [97]—particularly among young women [98]. Within treatment-seeking samples of young adults, however, frequent self-weighing is associated with better weight outcomes [99–100] and healthy weight control behaviors [101].…”