Bailey Claudette, Lee Jung Sun
Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
J Nutr Educ Behav. 2017 May;49(5):422-426.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2017.02.007.
Examine associations among weight status, weight perception, and weight management practices of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) participants in Georgia.
Self-reported weight, height, and weight-related practices were assessed and analyzed in 270 SNAP-Ed participants.
Almost three quarters of the sample self-reported overweight or obesity. Among overweight and obese subjects, 39% and 69%, respectively, accurately perceived themselves as overweight. More than half of the sample desired weight loss and 44% had attempted weight loss in the past year. Overweight/obese subjects who accurately perceived their weight were more likely to desire and to have attempted weight loss than those who under-perceived their weight. Approximately 58% of all subjects who had attempted to lose weight reported use of both methods suggested for weight loss: exercise and dietary changes.
The high prevalence of self-reported overweight/obesity combined with a desire to lose weight among the study sample demonstrated the necessity to develop SNAP-Ed curricula emphasizing weight management.
