Self-identified strategies to manage intake of tempting foods

Cross-sectional and prospective associations with BMI and snack intake

Bibliographic Data

ID15091978
AuthorsJennifer Gatzemeier (0000-0001-7699-3406, Swansea University, corresponding author), Laura L Wilkinson (0000-0002-8093-0843, Swansea University), Menna Price (0000-0002-0025-0881, Swansea University), Menna J Price, Michelle Lee (0000-0001-6042-134X, Swansea University), Michelle D Lee
Year2024
Volume27
Issue1
Pagese107-e107
Publication date2024-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980024000697
PMID38504524
OpenAlexW4393010760
LanguageEN
References cited43

Objectives: Individuals often use self-directed strategies to manage intake of tempting foods, but what these strategies are and whether they are effective is not well understood. This study assessed the frequency of use and subjective effectiveness of self-directed strategies in relation to BMI and snack intake. Design: A cross-sectional and prospective study with three time points (T1: baseline, T2: 3 months and T3: 3 years). At T1, demographics, frequency of use and subjective effectiveness of forty-one identified strategies were assessed. At T2 and T3, current weight was reported, and at T2 frequency of snack intake was also recorded. Setting: Online study in the UK. Participants: Data from 368 participants (M age = 34·41 years; M BMI = 25·06 kg/m 2 ) were used for analysis at T1, n = 170 (46·20 % of the total sample) at T2 and n = 51 (13·59 %) at T3. Results: Two strategy factors were identified via principal axis factoring: (1) diet, exercise, reduction of temptations, and cognitive strategies, and (2) planning, preparation and eating style. For strategy 1, frequency of use, but not subjective effectiveness, was positively related to BMI at T1. Subjective effectiveness predicted an increase in BMI from T1 and T2 to T3. No relationship to snack intake was found. For strategy 2, frequency of use was negatively related to BMI at T1. Neither frequency of use nor subjective effectiveness were related to changes in BMI over time, but subjective effectiveness was negatively correlated with unhealthy snack intake. Conclusion: Self-directed strategies to reduce the intake of tempting foods are not consistently related to BMI or snack intake

Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Healthy eating · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Snack food · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Demography · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Food Science

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