The changes in eating behaviours and lifestyles among middle-aged women with body shape in obese

Abstract

Background: Recently, obesity in middle-aged people is increasing, because of changes in lifestyle, such as westernization of eating habits and insufficient exercise. Obesity is regarded as a risk factor for onset of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and high blood pressure. This study investigated differences in eating behaviors and lifestyles depending on degree of satisfaction with body shapes. Methods: Participants (N=600) were middle-aged women with BMI 25-30 (N=300) and with BMI 30 or more (N=300). A survey consigned to an online research company was conducted. The degree of satisfaction with body shape was classified as “Satisfied/ rather satisfied,†“Slightly dissatisfied,†and “Dissatisfied.†A one-way ANOVA was conducted to examine differences in eating behaviors and lifestyles. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.58 (SD=11.33) and mean BMI was 30.29 (SD=6.68). There were 36 participants in satisfied/rather satisfied, 130 in slightly dissatisfied, and 434 in dissatisfied groups. There were significant between-group differences in “overall eating behaviors†and all the sub-scales of eating behaviors (p<.05~01). Moreover, There were significant between-group differences in “overall lifestyles,†“sleeping hours,†and “subjective stress†(p<.05~.001), with the dissatisfied group having low scores. Discussion: It is suggested that early intervention is required for the dissatisfied group, because they are not satisfied with their body shape. It would provide a chance to change their eating behaviors. Moreover, the satisfied group had a high risk for developing lifestyle diseases. Awareness of health risks at an early stage is important and intervention for improving eating behaviors and lifestyle is required.