Self‐identities and BMI of Minnesotan Soy Consumers and Non‐consumers

Abstract

SCHRYVER, TAMARA, CHERY SMITH, AND MELANIE WALL. Self-identities and BMI of Minnesotan soy consumers and non-consumers. Obesity. 2007;15: 1101-1106. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify selfidentities among mainstream and natural foods shoppers and the relationship of these self-identities to soy consumption and BMI. We hypothesized that soy consumers (SCs) would have lower BMIs than non-consumers (NCs) and that persons who self-identify themselves as SCs, natural foods, organic foods, health conscious, whole foods consumers, and vegetarians would have higher intakes of soy. Research Methods and Procedures:A validated soy foods frequency questionnaire was administered to 298 adult mainstream and natural foods grocery store shoppers in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. An additional survey gathered information on consumers' self-identification with several dietary and lifestyle descriptors. Principal component analysis was used to extract factors representing overarching self-identities. Correlation coefficients between derived scales for each factor and BMI and soy servings per week were generated using a Spearman correlation. One-way ANOVA was used to test significance between derived scales for factors and demographic variables and store type. Multiple regression models were used to test association between derived scales and BMI and soy servings per week while adjusting for demographic covariates. Results: Asians and those who shopped at natural food grocery stores consumed more soy foods and had lower BMIs than other ethnicities or those who shopped at mainstream grocery stores. Five overarching self-identities were found: vegetarian, mainstream, nouveau gourmet, pleasure, and bargain. Vegetarian and nouveau gourmet self-identities consumed significantly greater amounts of soy foods and had significantly lower BMIs, whereas mainstream self-identities consumed significantly less soy foods and had significantly higher BMIs. Discussion: Self-identities influence soy food consumption and BMI.

Characteristics associated with organic food consumption during pregnancy; data from a large cohort of pregnant women in Norway

“…Well-planned vegetarian diets are considered appropriate for individuals in all life-phases, including pregnancy [34]. Lower levels of BMI have been reported among vegetarians in various populations [35,37], and also among consumers of organic food in a study of soy consumers and non-soy consumers in Minnesota, USA [38]. …”

Accuracy of self‐reported heights and weights in a predominately low‐income, diverse population living in the USA

“…Demographic and anthropometric data were analyzed from 18 different U.S. studies from the same lab with the same principal investigator. The studies included young adults, middle‐aged adults, elderly, males and females, and different ethnicities including African Americans, Euro‐Americans, and Native Americans from the years 2001‐2016 (Dressler & Smith, ; Eikenberry & Smith, ; Oemichen & Smith, ; Richards & Smith, ; Rustad & Smith, ; Schryver, Smith, & Wall, ; Smith, Klosterbuer, & Levine, ; Smith & Miller, ; Wigg Damman, Smith, & Richards, ; Wiig Dammann & Smith, ; Wu & Smith, ; Gallop & Smith; Smith & Yentzer, unpublished; Smith & Sais, under preparation). All research was approved by the University's Institutional Review Board.…”

Environmental, Personal, and Behavioral Factors Are Related to Body Mass Index in a Group of Multi-Ethnic, Low-Income Women

“…For instance, evidence has demonstrated that an individual's self-identity, in the context of eating behavior, predicts long-term eating patterns 22,23 and ability to maintain a healthy body weight. 24,25 In addition, possessing greater nutrition knowledge has been related to healthier food choice 26 and weight-loss success with lowincome women. 27 Impacting the other side of the equation, physical activity levels have been linked to the ability to maintain a healthier weight over time among women.…”