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Risky weight control among university students
Author(s) -
Tamim Hala,
Tamim Rana,
Almawi Wassim,
Rahi Amal,
Shamseddeen Wael,
Ghazi Adline,
Taha Asaad,
Musharrafieh Umayya
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20205
Subject(s) - psychology , weight control , control (management) , developmental psychology , medicine , obesity , computer science , artificial intelligence
Objective The objectives of the current study were to investigate risky weight control measures (vomiting or pills) among university students in Lebanon and to assess their relation to demographic, scholastic, and health risk behavioral characteristics. Method The study used a cross‐sectional design. A proportionate random sample of 2,013 students was selected from public and private universities in Greater Beirut. Each participant completed a self‐administered anonymous questionnaire. Results Among participating students, 123 (6.1%) reported practicing risky weight control measures. Multivariate analysis indicated that younger females, cigarette smokers, engaged/married students, and those with a higher body mass index (BMI) were at increased odds of performing risky weight control measures. Conclusion Health awareness measures need to be proposed and, if possible, implemented to better define the motives and methods of weight reduction among Lebanese youth. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.