Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS submitted to
CORRELATION OF BMI, BODY FAT AND BODY IMAGE WITH OBESITY AND ETHNICITY IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
 
PROJECT DIRECTOR: Fitch-Hilgenberg, M. E. Robertson, L. J. Moore, C. K.
 
PERFORMING ORGANIZATION
HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE,AR 72703
 
NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Accurate physical and psycho-social measurements are needed to determine the impact of BMI reporting on growing children. The purpose of this study is to determine if body mass index is appropriate for use with growing children and to determine the effect of BMI reporting on body image.
 
OBJECTIVES: In the United States, the number of persons being overweight and obese have reached epidemic proportions. Recent reports indicate that Arkansas ranks seventh in incidence of obesity with more than 63 % of adults and 37% of school children being overweight or obese. Because obesity is a major health problem that frequently begins in childhood and adolescence, the purpose of this project will be to gather anthropometric data over a 5 year period to: (1) correlate body mass index (BMI), percent body mass index and body image with obesity in pre and post pubescent females in rural Arkansas communities; (2) determine if BMI is the most appropriate tool for evaluating weight status in growing children and young adolescents; (3) determine if a low BMI is an indicator of appropriate lifestyle and eating behavior; (4) determine if a high BMI is an indicator of inappropriate lifestyle and eating behaviors; (5) determine if young girls perception of their body type or image changes as they go through puberty; (6) determine if changes in body perception can be a predictor of inappropriate eating behaviors; and (7) determine the differences in BMI, body fat and body image in ethnically diverse populations living in rural communities.
 
APPROACH: This is a longitudinal study that will follow young females from different ethnic groups beginning at age 10, 11, and 12. This will allow the researchers to record changes in height, weight, BMI,percent body fat, fat mass, body shape, and body image. Upon receiving consent from the school districts, parents and the subjects involved, the researchers will use The Tanita Body Composition Analyzer TBF-215 for bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with a height bar to determine height, weight, BMI, fat percent, and fat mass. Body measurements and body shape will be obtained using the [TC]2 NX12 Body Measurement System. Both pieces of equipment are portable and will be set-up in a private area provided by the schools involved. During year one of the study, baseline data will be collected and an age appropriate questionnaire will be developed for use in future years in order to collect information regarding eating habits and body image. After the identification number is assigned the subjects will be provided with scan wear and asked to use a private dressing room to change into the scan wear. Scan wear will consist of a pair of shorts and tank top made of a cotton spandex blend fabric designed to fit, but not constrict the body. After donning the scan wear subjects will move to the The Tanita Body Composition Analyzer TBF-215 for bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). After completing BIA, subjects will be asked to move to the [TC]2 NX12 Body Measurement System. [TC]2 NX12 Body Measurement System is self contained system that is designed to rapidly provide the researcher with accurate and consistent measurements of the human body with minimal physical contact between the researcher and subject. The system consists of the [TC]2 NX12 3D full-body non-contact body scanner and the software to convert the scanned image to usable data from which accurate measurements can be extracted rapidly and consistently. The risk in healthy children is expected to be significantly higher, likely in the range of 1 in 100,000 exposures. As a comparison the risk of a school age child (age 7-19) experiencing a seizure while playing video games is estimated to be 1 in 65,000. The entire scanning procedure will take approximately 60 seconds, after which the 3D Body Model will appear on the monitor. Once the data has been gathered the researchers will review the body models and body shape will be coded by the researches by comparing the body model obtained from the [TC]2 NX12 Body Measurement System to the somatotypes as developed by Sheldon. All data will be in SPSS files for data analysis. This procedure will be repeated in years 2-5 of this project. An age appropriate questionnaire will be developed for use in future years in order to collect information regarding eating habits and body image. This questionnaire will be submitted to the Institutional Review Board for review and approval as well as any modifications necessary in year two of this project.
 
CRIS NUMBER: 0208676 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJECT NUMBER: ARK02127 SPONSOR AGENCY: NIFA
PROJECT TYPE: HATCH PROJECT STATUS: TERMINATED MULTI-STATE PROJECT NUMBER: (N/A)
START DATE: Oct 1, 2006 TERMINATION DATE: Sep 30, 2009

GRANT PROGRAM: (N/A)
GRANT PROGRAM AREA: (N/A)

CLASSIFICATION
Knowledge Area (KA)Subject (S)Science (F)Objective (G)Percent
703609910105.240%
703609930205.220%
703609930705.220%
703609930805.220%

CLASSIFICATION HEADINGS
KA703 - Nutrition Education and Behavior
S6099 - People and communities, general/other
F3020 - Education
F3070 - Psychology
F3080 - Sociology
F1010 - Nutrition and metabolism
G5.2 - Promote Healthier Eating Habits and Lifestyles


RESEARCH EFFORT CATEGORIES
BASIC 40%
APPLIED 40%
DEVELOPMENTAL 20%

KEYWORDS: body mass index; children; body image; body perception; bioelectric impedance; body scan; ethnicity; obesity; girls; black; white; african american; rural

PROGRESS: Jan 1, 2008 TO Dec 31, 2008
OUTPUTS: Findings have been presented at the national and state meetings attended by nutrition and dietetic professionals. PARTICIPANTS: PIs: Marjorie E. Fitch-Hilgenberg, PhD, RD, LD, Food & Human Nutrition, University of Arkansas; Lona Robertson, EdD, Apparel Studies, University of Arkansas; and Cynthia Moore, PhD, RD, LD, Food & Human Nutrition, University of Arkansas; Co-researcher: Laurie Apple, PhD, Apparel Studies, University of Arkansas. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for information derived from the study is young adults and adolescent individuals. Information derived from this study will be used for classroom instruction and community outreach programs. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project was expanded to determine validity of methodology within a more ethnically diverse population. Only 14% of the participants in the initial pilot study were non-Caucasian.

IMPACT: 2008-01-01 TO 2008-12-31 Two hundred and thirty-six (236) college age students participated in the pilot study. Of those, 206 were female and 25 were male with 80 being 10-19 years of age, 128 being 20-22 years of age and 23 subjects being over the age of 23 years. Ethnic diversity was lacking in this group of volunteers with 86% being white and 14% being non-white. Body measurements were taken using the [TC]2 NX12 Body Measurement System. Body composition and BMI were measured by the bioelectrical impedance analysis. A Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ) with additional questions was administered to evaluate body image perceptions. Results indicated that television was the primary source of diet and nutrition information. Eating habits had been changed in five of eight students since entering college. Students reported that they snacked more, consumed more "junk" food, drank more alcohol, practiced binge eating habits, and ate at restaurants more often than before entering college. Ten percent of the variation in weighed discrepancy scores was due to the following changes since entering college (p<0.0001): consumption of more junk food, television as the primary source of nutrition information, weight gain since entering college and the practice of binge eating habits. Data analysis on body composition and body measurements is in progress. The pilot study has been expanded to include a more ethnically diverse population. A need has been identified in this undergraduate sample for nutrition education and skill development interventions to improve dietary habits and body image ideals. The results may be applicable to similar samples at some universities. Overall, knowledge gained from these studies will find direct application on eating behavior interventions. Interventions can be designed for maximum effectiveness through studying an ethnically diverse population.

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 2008-01-01 TO 2008-12-31
Moore, C.K., Fitch-Hilgenberg, M.E., Robertson, L.J., & Apple, L.M. (2008). Change in eating habits of college students and increased weighted discrepancy score calculated with the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 108 (9), A-50.

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME: Fitch-Hilgenberg, M. E.
PHONE: 479-575-6815
FAX: 479-575-7171