English

DTIC AD1012415: A Comparison of the Eating and Exercise Patterns of Normal Weight and Overweight Women

The purpose of this study was to compare the eating and exercise patterns of normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW) women to empirically improve weight treatment guidelines. Participants--fifteen OW and 11 NW (age-, education-, and ethnicity-matched) women-recorded all foods eaten (on handheld computers) and activities for 2 weeks. Surprisingly, the groups' total daily energy intake--kilojoules1\1(kJ), fat, carbohydrates, and protein-- and the macronutrient compositions of meals were not significantly different, but OW's ate more frequently. NW's exercised more frequently each week (3-4 vs. 1-2 /wk) and more often in the evening, and exercised longer (2 hrs. vs. 45 min.), increasing energy requirements to equal OW's. These data suggest that neither NW's nor OW's food intake follows the USDA recommendations, but NW's do exercise according to the USDA recommendations. Focusing on basic energy balance may be more effective than focusing on either energy intake or expenditure.

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