WOMEN DIETERS OF NORMAL-WEIGHT - THEIR MOTIVES, GOALS, AND RISKS

Using data from a national survey of weight loss practices, this study examined those dieters who were of normal weight. Forty-seven percent of White women, 25% of Black women, and 16% of men currently trying t o lose weight had a body mass index under 25. Women's primary motive w as health improvement. Among normal-weight female dieters, 12% of Whit es and 27% of Blacks were using risky strategies. Dieters were less li kely than nondieters to smoke and reported better nutritional practice s; however, they were not more likely to exercise, and their maximum w eight fluctuation was 50% greater. Additional research on the conseque nces of dieting among normal-weight individuals is of high priority.