Dietary intake-, eating behavior-, and physical activity-related determinants of high body mass index in the 2003 Wellness IN the Rockies cross-sectional study

The primary objective of the study was to assess associations between high body mass index (BMI) and dietary intake-, eating behavior-, and physical activity-related variables using follow-up cross-sectional data from Wellness IN the Rockies. Study participants were 883 men and 1030 women, aged 18 to 96 years, recruited from 6 rural communities in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. All study participants completed a questionnaire that elicited sociodemographic information, self-reported height and weight, and data related to specific dietary intakes, eating-related behaviors, and physical activity behaviors and perceptions. Prevalence of overweight (defined as a BMI ≥25 kg/m2) in the 2003 follow-up survey was 66% in men and 56% in women, lower than the 70% (men) and 59% (women) figures reported from the 2001 baseline survey. Probability of high BMI was positively associated with specific eating habits: ordering supersized portions, eating while doing another activity, consumption of diet soft drinks, and consumption of foods from fast-food restaurants. Physical activity-related variables associated with high BMI were less frequent physical activity and the perception of not getting as much exercise as needed. The relationship between diet soft drink consumption and overweight/obesity could be because of the propensity of individuals with high BMIs to choose these beverages over regular soft drinks as a means to reduce overall energy expenditures. The finding of a relationship between greater frequency of eating while doing another activity and high BMI in both the 2001 and 2003 surveys suggests that interventions aimed at reducing this eating-related behavior could be an effective strategy for helping individuals maintain healthy body weights.