What (not) to eat: Exploring weight-loss and dietary intentions in representative samples from Germany and Austria

Abstract

Despite significant health risks associated with high body weight and poor diet, little is known about the prevalence and targets of weight-loss and dietary intentions. This information could, however, help tailor behaviour change interventions. Therefore, the present study described weight-loss and dietary intentions and their co-occurrence in a representative sample (N = 1,510; 50.40% women; M_age = 48.55, SD_age = 16.68; M_BMI = 26.89, SD_BMI = 5.92) from Germany (n = 1,006) and Austria (n = 504). Weight-loss (57%) and dietary avoidance intentions (i.e., intention to eat less of certain foods; 59%) were more prevalent than dietary approach intentions (i.e., intention to eat more of certain foods; 34%). A discrepancy between weight-loss intention and indication (i.e., meeting BMI criteria for weight-loss recommendation: BMI ≥ 25) was found for 27% of individuals. Most common target foods were ‘snacks high in sugar, fat, and/or salt’ (24%), ‘meat’ (12%) and ‘sugar/foods high in sugar’ (11%) for avoidance and ‘fruits and vegetables’ (27%) and ‘protein/foods high in protein’ (3%) for approach intentions. These findings indicate that individuals might benefit from enhanced awareness of body weight recommendations and a less avoidance-centered perspective on eating, as approach strategies might be more effective in changing behaviour.