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Covariations of unhealthy weight loss behaviors and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Neumark-Sztainer, D; Story, M; French, SA
Published in: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
March 1996

OBJECTIVES: To determine if unhealthy weight loss methods are associated with other health-compromising behaviors among adolescents and to examine covariation patterns across gender and age groups. STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: The study sample was drawn from a larger population of 123 132 adolescents in the 6th, 9th, and 12th grades in Minnesota who completed a statewide school-based survey. The index group included all adolescents who used unhealthy weight loss methods (n=4514), and the comparison group comprised a random sample of 4514 adolescents who did not use these methods and who were matched for gender, ethnicity, and grade. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Unhealthy weight loss methods included vomiting and use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills. Other health-compromising behaviors that were assessed included suicide attempts; delinquency; tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; unprotected sexual intercourse; and multiple sexual partners. RESULTS: Adolescents who used unhealthy weight loss methods were more likely to engage in other health-compromising behaviors. Odds ratios ranged from 1.9 to 14.8, and odds ratios were all highly significant among boys and girls in early, middle, and late adolescence. Among the girls, a monotonic decrease in the strength of all associations was found with increased age. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who engage in unhealthy weight loss methods are more likely to engage in a range of other health-compromising behaviors. Different perceptions of unhealthy weight loss behaviors (eg, normative vs problematic) may in part explain the differences in the strengths of associations between different grade and gender groups. Our results suggest that screening and counseling of adolescents who engage in unhealthy weight loss methods should be comprehensive and intervention programs aimed at the secondary prevention of disordered eating need to address other problematic behaviors.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med

DOI

ISSN

1072-4710

Publication Date

March 1996

Volume

150

Issue

3

Start / End Page

304 / 308

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Suicide, Attempted
  • Smoking
  • Risk-Taking
  • Pediatrics
  • Minnesota
  • Marijuana Smoking
  • Male
  • Juvenile Delinquency
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., & French, S. A. (1996). Covariations of unhealthy weight loss behaviors and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 150(3), 304–308. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1996.02170280074014
Neumark-Sztainer, D., M. Story, and S. A. French. “Covariations of unhealthy weight loss behaviors and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 150, no. 3 (March 1996): 304–8. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1996.02170280074014.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, French SA. Covariations of unhealthy weight loss behaviors and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1996 Mar;150(3):304–8.
Neumark-Sztainer, D., et al. “Covariations of unhealthy weight loss behaviors and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, vol. 150, no. 3, Mar. 1996, pp. 304–08. Pubmed, doi:10.1001/archpedi.1996.02170280074014.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, French SA. Covariations of unhealthy weight loss behaviors and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1996 Mar;150(3):304–308.

Published In

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med

DOI

ISSN

1072-4710

Publication Date

March 1996

Volume

150

Issue

3

Start / End Page

304 / 308

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Suicide, Attempted
  • Smoking
  • Risk-Taking
  • Pediatrics
  • Minnesota
  • Marijuana Smoking
  • Male
  • Juvenile Delinquency