DIETING AND WATCHING BEHAVIORS AMONG ADOLESCENT FEMALES - REPORT OF AMULTIMETHOD STUDY

Purpose: This study posits a distinction between ''watching what you e at'' and dieting behaviors in a sample of adolescent females. Findings suggest that the dichotomy of dieter/nondieter fails to capture a ran ge of healthful behaviors practiced by many adolescent girls. Methods: Anthropologic and nutritional research methods were used in this stud y. Data were drawn from 1 year of a longitudinal study of food intake and dieting behaviors in a sample of 231 adolescent females. Multiple methods including one ethnographic interview, a survey questionnaire, a telephone interview, and food records were collected from each infor mant. Results: Although 44% of the girls in this sample reported tryin g to lose weight on the day of the survey, only 8.6% of the food recor ds reflected dieting days. In interviews, many identified ''watching w hat they eat'' as a health-promoting strategy that allowed them to mai ntain their weight. Analysis of food record data confirmed a trend tow ard higher intakes of micronutrients. Conclusions: Research concerned with adolescent weight loss behaviors has focused more on negative tha n positive health attitudes and behaviors. The present study identifie d the behavior of ''watching'' as distinct from dieting. ''Watching'' was widely utilized by girls in this sample as a way to maintain weigh t and promote health.