Stress, women and weight control behavior.

This study explores the relationship between stress and weight control behavior in four groups of women: African American, European American, Mexican/Mexican American, and Puerto Rican. Data were collected on 111 women between the ages of 23 and 75 using a between-methods triangulation approach in which interview and questionnaire data were collected. The women were involved in various types and levels of weight control behavior. Although all the women identified occupational and major life stressors, only European American women's weight control behavior was significantly related to stress.