The Effects of Weight Science and Nutrition Education on Weight Control Beliefs, Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Patterns in Undergraduate Dieters
Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY
People who diet typically believe they can control their weight. People who believe they should control their weight are more likely to have poor body image, low self-esteem and disordered eating. People who believe they should aim for a healthy lifestyle and accept their natural weight have better body image, better self-esteem and less disordered eating. This study will compare three types of education in undergraduate dieters. In the first, the investigators will teach how the body naturally controls weight. In the second, the investigators will teach about healthy eating. In the third, the investigators will teach about how the body naturally controls weight and healthy eating. The study is testing whether teaching about how the body naturally controls weight and healthy eating changes people's beliefs about weight. The study also tests whether changing people's beliefs about weight will change their body satisfaction, their feelings about themselves, and their intention to diet.
Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:
• Undergraduate students at McMaster University
• Individuals who are restricting their eating to try and lose weight.
• Self-identified women
• Ages 18 or over
• Normal (or corrected to normal) hearing
• Normal (or corrected to normal) vision
Locations
Other Locations
Canada
McMaster University
RECRUITING
Hamilton
Contact Information
Primary
Keisha Gobin, Ph.D., C.Psych
kgobin@stjoes.ca
905-522-1155
Backup
Mindy Tat, BSc
tatm@mcmaster.ca
Time Frame
Start Date:2026-01-01
Estimated Completion Date:2026-08-31
Participants
Target number of participants:150
Treatments
Active_comparator: Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control)
Participants in the Weight Science Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that weight science education alone will decrease belief in personal control over weight and will have little to no effect on belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance.
Active_comparator: Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control)
Participants in the Nutrition Education and Sleep Education (Control) arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the hypothesis that nutrition education alone will increase belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle or weight acceptance, but will have little to no effect on the belief in personal control over weight.
Experimental: Weight Science Education and Nutrition Education
Participants in the Weight Science Education and Healthy Eating Education arm will be receiving both those educational interventions after answering questionnaires. This arm assesses the main hypothesis that weight science and nutrition teaching combined will both decrease the belief of personal control over weight and an increase the belief in choosing a healthy lifestyle/weight acceptance.