To the Editor: We read with interest Abraham’s recent article on bodyweight issues facing young women.1 Abraham notes that this group is at risk of extreme weight-loss behaviours, including excessive exercise and use of slimming tablets. However, recent data from our studies show young women’s high risk of substantial weight gain and obesity.2,3
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- 1. Abrahams SF. Dieting, body weight, body image and self-esteem in young women: doctors’ dilemmas. Med J Aust 2003; 178: 607-611. <MJA full text>
- 2. Ball K, Brown W, Crawford D. Who does not gain weight? Prevalence and predictors of weight maintenance in young women. Int J Obesity 2002; 26: 1570-1578.
- 3. Ball K, Crawford D, Ireland P, Hodge A. Patterns and demographic predictors of five-year weight change in a multi-ethnic cohort of men and women in Australia. Public Health Nutr 2003; 6: 269-280.
- 4. National Health and Medical Research Council. Acting on Australia’s weight: a strategic plan for the prevention of overweight and obesity. Canberra: AGPS, 1997. Available at: www.health.gov.au/nhmrc/publications/pdf/n21.pdf (accessed Oct 2003).
- 5. Reidpath D, Crawford D, Tilgner L, Gibbons C. Relationship between body mass index and the use of healthcare services in Australia. Obesity Res 2002; 10: 526-531.
- 6. The Consumer Advocacy and Financial Counselling Association of Australia. Tipping the scales. Melbourne: CAFCA, 1992.
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Kylie Ball is supported by a Public Health Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), ID 136925. David Crawford is supported by a Career Development Award funded by the NHMRC and National Heart Foundation of Australia.