Behavioral Changes in Diet and Physical Activities of Engaged U.S. Women Preparing for Their Wedding Day

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to develop and administer a survey in order to characterize the weight status and dietary and physical activity behaviors of engaged women as they prepare for their wedding day. Methods: A total of 363 engaged females were recruited using snowball sampling through Facebook survey links, University of Kansas Medical Center broadcast email, and word of mouth. An online REDCap survey was created to assess the demographics, body image perceptions, anthropometrics, wedding/ relationship, dietary behaviors, physical activity behaviors, and health status. To keep the survey anonymous, a second online REDCap survey requesting an email address for future studies was linked to the first survey so the responses would be stored in separate databases. Women were eligible if they were a U.S. citizen, 18-40 years old, female, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and engaged to be married. The consent form and an eligibility questionnaire were built into the beginning of the first REDCap survey. Results: After exclusions (n=6), 357 engaged females were included in the study. The mean age was 24.8 ± 2.9, and the mean BMI was 24.9 ± 5.6. Over one-third (36.1%) of the engaged females were overweight or obese and yet, 62% of the women indicated they were currently trying to lose weight. Over half (51.2%) of the women had an ideal wedding weight that was an average of 18 pounds less than their current weight. Women who had a desired wedding weight were statistically heavier than those who did not (M=156.7 ± 5.9 vs. 145.6 ± 32.7, respectively, p<0.001). Significant differences were also found between cohabiting and non-cohabiting women. The mean age of cohabiting women was 25.2 ± 2.9 years old compared to 24.0 ± 2.9 years for non-cohabiting women (p<0.001). The mean BMI of cohabiting women was significantly higher than the non-cohabiting women’s BMI (25.7 ± 6.0 vs. 23.3 ± 4.4; p<0.001). Cohabiting women also had significantly higher income levels (p<0.001), job status (p<0.001), longer relationships (p=0.024), and more usual weekday screen time (p=0.042). Conclusion: More than one-third of engaged females in our study were overweight or obese. Over half of these women have a desired wedding weight lower than their current weight, and the majority of them indicated that they were currently trying to lose weight. Previous studies have found similar results and introduced the idea that there are differences between cohabiting and non-cohabiting women. Our study found that cohabiting U.S. engaged females were significantly older, heavier, employed full-time with higher income levels, and had been dating their significant other longer. Future studies should focus on the long-term effects that cohabitation has on weight-related behaviors of women and develop interventions for couples who are beginning to live together.