Fad or Exercise? Maintaining Weight among Millennials L. Mattson, K. Shamoon, A. VanBeber, L. Dart, and J. Stevenson Department of Nutritional Sciences Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas

Background Study Objectives Experiences Identified Results Among Participants by Participants Following Fad Diets

• Approximately 45 million Americans follow a diet The purposes of this study were 1) to determine every year (Boston Medical Center 2018), and reasons university students follow fad diets, and 2) to although these diets may provide quick results, the determine other methods students utilize for weight likelihood of keeping the weight off is low, and about management. half of the individuals who follow fad diets gain the weight back within a year (Truby, 2006). 33% Results Not Yes 42% Achieved • Upon research of common fad diets, four were Types of Fad Diets Followed 58% chosen to focus on: Weight Watchers®, the Atkins by Participants 67% No Results Diet®, Gluten-free Diet, and the Paleolithic® Diet Achieved (Best Health, 2016). 35%

• Along with fad diets, millennials often exercise as a 30% means to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. 30% Four out of five millennials exercise at least once a Participants Who Followed Fad Participants Following Fad Diets week which is 15% higher than their baby boomer 25% Diets Before Desired Results counterparts. (Valentine, 2017). 23% 20% 20% Felt better and lost weight 11% 15% 14% 17% Felt more tired Some Weight Weight Loss Behaviors Identified Loss 37% than normal by Participants Did Not Reach 10% 12% No change in health status 22% Goal Weight Temporary Learned How To 5% 67% 100% 97% 17% weight loss Eat Healthier & 90% 17% Always hungry More Mindfully 0% 80% Paleo® Diet Atkins® Diet Weight Gluten-Free 70% Watchers® Diet Participants Effects of 60% 57% 55% Effects of Dieting Among Participants 50% 47% 42% Following Fad Diets 40% Participant Profile 31% 30% 26% 20% 15% The majority of participants were female (78.2%), 33% Yes 10% white (84.9%), aged 18-20 years (59.3%), Discussion and Conclusions 10% sophomores (32.4%) lived in residence halls (52.3%), No 0% Eat less Count fat Count Count Low-fat/Fat Sugar free Exercise Measure and had a family income of over $100,000 (67.8%). grams carbs calories free portions Maybe • The majority of millennials today primarily utilize 41% exercise, while baby boomers utilize dieting, to aid in weight loss and weight maintenance. Methods Fad Diets • Most females feel pressured by the media, friends, Participants Who Would Follow family, or themselves to physically look a certain way • Un-blinded, randomized trial approved by Texas Fad Diet Again Christian University Institutional Review Board. • The positive correlation between females and healthy • Participants completed an online research Length of Time Participants eating habits, pressure to be a certain weight, and questionnaire after providing informed consent. perceiving themselves to be a normal weight (p=0.01). Followed Fad Diets • Population included 236 TCU male and female students • Of the fad diets followed by 32.7% of university ages 18-22. 9% students, diets included Paleolithic, Gluten Free, • Analyses assessed participants’ history of fad dieting 0-4 weeks Weight Watchers, Atkins, Whole 30, Vegan, and outcomes, perceived health status based on body 6% Ketogenic, Juice Cleansing, Diet Pill usage, Clean weight and image, eating and exercise habits, and 6% 1-4 months Gut, Advocare, Rice Diet, Nutriystem, Cosmo diet, incidence of lifestyle practices such as smoking and , Ideal Protein, and Intermittent . alcohol use. 47% 4-6 months • Data was analyzed using SPSS (p<0.05). Frequency • University students who followed fad diets experienced temporary or adverse results. Exercise distributions, descriptives and correlations were 32% 6-12 months analyzed for trends in health maintenance behaviors. was preferred rather than dieting to maintain weight.

Texas Christian University - Department of Nutritional Sciences - Spring 2018