Relationships between patterns of weight‐related self‐monitoring and eating disorder symptomology among undergraduate and graduate students

Abstract

Objective To characterize patterns of weight‐related self‐monitoring (WRSM) among US undergraduate and graduate students and examine associations between identified patterns of WRSM and eating disorder symptomology. Method Undergraduate and graduate students from 12 US colleges and universities (N = 10,010) reported the frequency with which they use WRSM, including self‐weighing and dietary self‐monitoring. Eating disorder symptomology was assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Gender‐specific patterns of WRSM were identified using latent class analysis, and logistic regressions were used to identify differences in the odds of eating disorder symptomology across patterns of WRSM. Results Among this sample, 32.7% weighed themselves regularly; 44.1% reported knowing the nutrition facts of the foods they ate; 33.6% reported knowing the caloric content of the foods they ate; and 12.8% counted the calories they ate. Among women, four patterns of WRSM were identified: “no WRSM,” “all forms of WRSM,” “knowing nutrition/calorie facts,” and “self‐weigh only.” Compared with the “no WRSM” pattern, women in all other patterns experienced increased eating disorder symptomology. Among men, three patterns were identified: “no WRSM,” “all forms of WRSM,” and “knowing nutrition/calorie facts.” Only men in the “all forms WRSM” pattern had increased eating disorder symptomatology compared with those in the “no WRSM” pattern. Discussion In a large sample of undergraduate and graduate students, engaging in any WRSM was associated with increased eating disorder symptomology among women, particularly for those who engaged in all forms. Among men, engaging in all forms of WRSM was the only pattern associated with higher eating disorder symptomology.

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