197950 An analysis of specific life satisfaction domains and disordered eating among college students

Monday, November 9, 2009

Molly Matthews, MS , Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Keith Zullig, MSPH, PhD , Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Rose Marie Ward, PhD , Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Thelma Horn, PhD , Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Background: Previous life satisfaction (LS) research shows significant associations with disordered eating from middle through college-aged students, gender differences included.

Significance: It is unknown which LS domains (self, friends, etc.) are the greatest predictors of disordered eating.

Purpose: To determine whether or not certain LS domains predict disordered eating more strongly than others and if this relationship is modified by gender.

Methods: In 2007, randomly selected college students (N = 723) completed questions concerning their eating behaviors/weight perceptions and the eight-domain Brief Multidimensional Students Life Satisfaction Scale-College Version (BMSLSS-C). Analyses were separated by gender.

Results: Satisfaction with Self and Physical Appearance were the strongest correlates with the disordered eating variables (range -.528 to -.369). Worrying about weight (range -.528 - to -.104), self-described weight (range -.407 to -.129), and binge eating (range .110 to .186) were significantly correlated with all LS domains (p <.05). Regression models indicated gender moderated the relationship between LS with Family and “supplements to lose weight” (.023), LS with Romantic Relationships and “exercise to lose weight” (.034), LS with Self and “importance of body shape/weight” (.017), LS with Self and “I need to be thin to feel good about myself OR I feel fat when others say I'm not” (.005), LS with Physical Appearance and “I need to be thin to feel good about myself” (.035), and LS with Self and “worried about weight” (.047), p < .05.

Conclusions: Gender and domain-specific analysis is a promising avenue for future quality of life interventions involving disordered eating.

Learning Objectives:
1. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to distinguish which specific domains of life satisfaction are most strongly correlated with eating behaviors/weight perceptions. 2. By the end of this presentation, participants will understand the differences between genders in regards to the relationship between life satisfaction and eating behaviors/weight perceptions. 3. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to identify areas for application of these results to practical treatment. 4. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to identify areas for future research.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a graduate student in Health Promotion in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Miami University. If selected, I will be presenting my thesis topic. Thus, I have conducted research in this area and have read much about the topic.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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