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Does body satisfaction matter? Five-year longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and health behaviors in adolescent females and males.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Neumark-Sztainer, D; Paxton, SJ; Hannan, PJ; Haines, J; Story, M
Published in: J Adolesc Health
August 2006

PURPOSE: This study addresses the question, "Does body satisfaction matter?" by examining longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and weight-related health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors five years later among adolescents. METHODS: Project EAT-II followed an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 2516 adolescents from 1999 (Time 1) to 2004 (Time 2). Associations between body satisfaction at Time 1 and health behaviors at Time 2 were examined, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and Time 1 health behaviors, with and without adjustment for body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: In females, lower body satisfaction predicted higher levels of dieting, unhealthy and very unhealthy weight control behaviors and binge eating, and lower levels of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. After adjusting for BMI, associations between body satisfaction and dieting, very unhealthy weight control behaviors, and physical activity remained statistically significant. In males, lower body satisfaction predicted higher levels of dieting, healthy, unhealthy, and very unhealthy weight control behaviors, binge eating, and smoking, and lower levels of physical activity. After adjusting for BMI, associations between body satisfaction and dieting, unhealthy weight control behavior, and binge eating remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate that, in general, lower body satisfaction does not serve as a motivator for engaging in healthy weight management behaviors, but rather predicts the use of behaviors that may place adolescents at risk for weight gain and poorer overall health. Interventions with adolescents should strive to enhance body satisfaction and avoid messages likely to lead to decreases in body satisfaction.

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Published In

J Adolesc Health

DOI

EISSN

1879-1972

Publication Date

August 2006

Volume

39

Issue

2

Start / End Page

244 / 251

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Public Health
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Female
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders
  • Exercise
  • Diet, Reducing
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Neumark-Sztainer, D., Paxton, S. J., Hannan, P. J., Haines, J., & Story, M. (2006). Does body satisfaction matter? Five-year longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and health behaviors in adolescent females and males. J Adolesc Health, 39(2), 244–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.12.001
Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne, Susan J. Paxton, Peter J. Hannan, Jess Haines, and Mary Story. “Does body satisfaction matter? Five-year longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and health behaviors in adolescent females and males.J Adolesc Health 39, no. 2 (August 2006): 244–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.12.001.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Paxton SJ, Hannan PJ, Haines J, Story M. Does body satisfaction matter? Five-year longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and health behaviors in adolescent females and males. J Adolesc Health. 2006 Aug;39(2):244–51.
Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne, et al. “Does body satisfaction matter? Five-year longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and health behaviors in adolescent females and males.J Adolesc Health, vol. 39, no. 2, Aug. 2006, pp. 244–51. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.12.001.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Paxton SJ, Hannan PJ, Haines J, Story M. Does body satisfaction matter? Five-year longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and health behaviors in adolescent females and males. J Adolesc Health. 2006 Aug;39(2):244–251.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Adolesc Health

DOI

EISSN

1879-1972

Publication Date

August 2006

Volume

39

Issue

2

Start / End Page

244 / 251

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Public Health
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Female
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders
  • Exercise
  • Diet, Reducing