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Abstract:
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The purpose of this research was to develop , validate , and test an instrument to evaluate motivations to eat in low -income women during the early postpartum period . The instrument was also used in a sample of young college women to further validate the measure and explore determinants of eating in this population . In study 1 , the Eating Stimulus Index was validated in 179 low -income women in early postpartum . Validity and reliability were determined via principal components analysis , internal consistency reliability , and test -retest reliability using a subgroup of 31 low -income new mothers . The factor analysis produced an eight factor structure with reliability coefficients ranging from 0 .54 -0 .89 . Convenience eating (r= -0 .25 , P <0 .01 ) , emotional eating (r= -0 .17 , P <0 .05 ) , and dietary restraint (r= -0 .21 , P <0 .01 ) were significantly related to weight status . In study 2 , the relationship between eating motivations and diet quality , determined via the Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index , was established in 115 low -income women in early postpartum . High diet quality was related to fruit and vegetable availability (r=0 .25 , P <0 .01 ) , convenience eating resistance (r= -0 .36 , P <0 .001 ) , and vegetable taste preference (r=0 .23 , P <0 .05 ) . Motivations to eat differed between overweight and obese women with the primary motivation being convenience eating and taste , respectively . In study 3 , determinants of weight loss were examined in 58 low -income women in early postpartum participating in an 8 -week weight loss intervention . Participants were evaluated at pre - and post -study for all measures . Factors related to weight loss included increases in dietary restraint , weight management skills , and weight loss self -efficacy and decreases in fruit juice servings , total energy , and discretionary energy intakes . After hierarchical regression analysis , improvement in weight loss self -efficacy was the most significant determinant (β=0 .263 , P <0 .05 ) followed by decreases in discretionary energy intake (β= -0 .241 , P <0 .05 ) . In study 4 , determinants of diet quality were assessed in a sample of 88 young college women using the Eating Stimulus Index . Low diet quality was associated with poor fruit and vegetable availability , convenience eating resistance , vegetable taste preference , and weight management self -efficacy , while high diet quality was related to increased frequency of meals prepared at home and decreased frequency of meals consumed at fast food restaurants . |