M. Shah et al., CORRELATES OF HIGH-FAT CALORIE FOOD-INTAKE IN A WORKSITE POPULATION -THE HEALTHY WORKER PROJECT, Addictive behaviors, 18(5), 1993, pp. 583-594
Behavioral and sociodemographic correlates of high fat/calorie food co
nsumption were examined in a population-based sample of working adults
(N = 2038 men; N = 2335 women). Relative weight, dieting history, and
cigarette smoking were significantly related to total energy intake f
rom high fat/calorie foods. Relative weight was positively related to
the intake of meat, eggs, fried potatoes, and fats. Current dieting to
lose weight was associated with a lower intake of all foods, except a
lcohol and fats. These foods were unrelated to dieting status in men a
nd positively related to dieting status in women. Physical activity an
d smoking were related to higher intake of high fat/calorie foods. Smo
kers consumed fewer sweet foods than nonsmokers, however. These result
s underscore the importance of controlling for dieting status, as well
as other behavioral and demographic variables, in population studies
of dietary intake. They also suggest factors that may be important in
the etiology of unhealthy eating patterns and potential targets for di
etary intervention.