Weight Management Among Young Adults Based On The National Physical Activity Weight Loss Survey (NPAWLS)

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Young adults (18-24 year olds) experience many life transitions such as starting full-time jobs or college, marriage and children. Understanding their weight management practices may help health practitioners set the stage for better health behaviors. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between weight management practices and body mass index (BMI), race, physical activity (PA) level, and strength training (ST) in 18-24 year olds. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Physical Activity and Weight Loss Survey, a random digit dial telephone survey of U.S. adults, conducted from September to December 2002. Information on weight management practices and PA were obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System questions. Relationships between weight management practices and BMI, PA level, ST frequency, and race were examined with Chi Square tests of independence using SUDAAN (Version 10). RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 374 men and 391 women (age 18-24) with a mean BMI of 23.95+0.21 kg/m2. Weight management practices differed across BMI categories (p=0.00). More obese (BMI > 30.0) individuals (57%) reported trying to lose weight compared to normal weight individuals (21%). The prevalence of weight loss practices did not differ by race (p=0.35). Weight loss practices were associated with PA level (p=0.03). Of those who met the AHA/ACSM PA recommendations, 28.95% (95%CI: 24.2, 34.2) were trying to lose weight; 16% (95% CI: 12.3, 20.5) were trying to gain weight, 28.2% (95%CI: 23.3, 33.8) were trying to maintain their weight and 26% (95%CI: 22.2, 32.0) were not doing anything about their weight. In comparison, among inactive individuals, 20.7% (95%CI: 11.7, 34.0) reported they were trying to lose weight, 6.97% (95%CI: 2.6, 17.0) were trying to gain, 21.7% (13.5, 32.9) were trying to maintain, and 50.7% (95%CI: 37.5, 63.7) reported not doing anything regarding their weight. There was also a significant association between weight management strategies and ST (p=0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that weight management practices differ by BMI and PA level but not by ethnicity. Weight management strategies might be more effective if they are tailored to an individual's BMI, levels of physical activity, and strength training frequency. This study was Supported by CDC, SIP 20-01, U48/CCU409664.