BMI, Weight-Related Behavior, and Weight-Related Attitudes among College Dormitory Residents

Abstract

This research examined the influence of social dynamics on weight, weight-related behaviors, and weight-related attitudes within the friendship networks of ethnically diverse dormitory residents at the University of Hawai‘i. Ninety student residents from the Hale Laulima dormitory completed an online questionnaire assessing friendship dynamics, demographics, acculturation, eating attitudes, weight attitudes, health behaviors, and depression. Descriptive network analyses were conducted. Inferential testing was performed using Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) correlations and regressions. Separate QAP regressions were performed to assess male and female inter-gender friendships. Correlation results indicated a positive relationship between closeness and all weight-related variables. QAP regressions analyses by gender revealed an inverse relationship between closeness and BMI concordance and a positive relationship between closeness and shared health behaviors and eating attitudes in men only.