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Weight control behaviors and dietary intake among adolescents and young adults: longitudinal findings from Project EAT.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Larson, NI; Neumark-Sztainer, D; Story, M
Published in: J Am Diet Assoc
November 2009

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional research has found that dieting during adolescence and the use of extreme weight control behaviors are related to less healthful dietary patterns; however, little is known regarding longitudinal relationships. OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of weight control behavior over 5 years and examine relationships with nutritional outcomes in adolescents and young adults. DESIGN: Population-based, longitudinal study in Minnesota. Youth completed Time 1 surveys in 1998-1999, and Time 2 surveys were completed in 2003-2004. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) survey and the Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire were completed by 1,242 females and 1,007 males in school classrooms at Time 1 and by mail at Time 2. OUTCOME MEASURES AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Generalized linear modeling was used to predict each Time 2 outcome of interest (ie, meal and snack frequencies and dietary intake) across patterns of healthful and unhealthful weight control behavior (ie, never-engaging, stopping, starting, and persisting). RESULTS: Approximately 45% of females and 17% of males reported persistent use of unhealthful weight control behaviors at both time points. Persisting to use only healthful weight control behaviors was reported by 10% of females and 15% of males. Among females, persistent use of unhealthful weight control behavior was associated (P<0.05) with measures of poorer dietary intake (eg, lower intakes of calcium and vegetables) and less frequent meals, whereas persistent use of healthful weight control behavior was associated with measures (P<0.05) of better dietary intake (eg, less fast food and fewer sugar-sweetened drinks). Among males, few associations were observed between dietary intake and either unhealthful or healthful weight control behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals should guide youth who have weight concerns by encouraging healthful eating habits to achieve or maintain appropriate weight and nutrition goals.

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Published In

J Am Diet Assoc

DOI

EISSN

1878-3570

Publication Date

November 2009

Volume

109

Issue

11

Start / End Page

1869 / 1877

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Obesity
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Linear Models
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Larson, N. I., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Story, M. (2009). Weight control behaviors and dietary intake among adolescents and young adults: longitudinal findings from Project EAT. J Am Diet Assoc, 109(11), 1869–1877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.08.016
Larson, Nicole I., Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, and Mary Story. “Weight control behaviors and dietary intake among adolescents and young adults: longitudinal findings from Project EAT.J Am Diet Assoc 109, no. 11 (November 2009): 1869–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.08.016.
Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Weight control behaviors and dietary intake among adolescents and young adults: longitudinal findings from Project EAT. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Nov;109(11):1869–77.
Larson, Nicole I., et al. “Weight control behaviors and dietary intake among adolescents and young adults: longitudinal findings from Project EAT.J Am Diet Assoc, vol. 109, no. 11, Nov. 2009, pp. 1869–77. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jada.2009.08.016.
Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Weight control behaviors and dietary intake among adolescents and young adults: longitudinal findings from Project EAT. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Nov;109(11):1869–1877.

Published In

J Am Diet Assoc

DOI

EISSN

1878-3570

Publication Date

November 2009

Volume

109

Issue

11

Start / End Page

1869 / 1877

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Obesity
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Linear Models
  • Humans