Body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight-control practices among adolescents with and without chronic illness: a population-based study.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

OBJECTIVE: To compare body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight-loss practices among adolescents with and without chronic illness. DESIGN: Survey. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 2149 adolescent boys and girls with diabetes, asthma, attention deficit disorder, physical disabilities, or seizure disorders; and a comparison group of 1381 adolescents without chronic illness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body concerns, binge eating, frequent dieting, vomiting, and laxative or diuretic use among adolescents. RESULTS: Adolescents with chronic illness reported higher body dissatisfaction and engaged in more high-risk weight-loss practices than adolescents without chronic illness. This trend was consistent across the different conditions and was not limited to those with a nutrition-related condition such as diabetes. The trend remained after conducting logistic regression and controlling for age, race, socioeconomic status, and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with chronic illness are at high risk for engaging in unhealthy weight-loss practices and should be screened and targeted for prevention and treatment.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Neumark-Sztainer, D; Story, M; Resnick, MD; Garwick, A; Blum, RW

Published Date

  • December 1995

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 149 / 12

Start / End Page

  • 1330 - 1335

PubMed ID

  • 7489069

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1072-4710

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1001/archpedi.1995.02170250036005

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States