Weight control strategies of overweight adolescents who successfully lost weight.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the differences in weight control behaviors, dietary intake, and physical activity between overweight adolescents who lost weight and overweight adolescents who did not lose weight. This cross-sectional study compared 62 overweight adolescents who lost weight in the past with 68 overweight adolescents who did not lose weight. Youth responded to questions regarding weight control behaviors during the past year, physical activity, sedentary activity, and dietary intake. Results showed that adolescents who lost weight were more likely to report using healthful weight control behaviors such as drinking less soda and increasing their exercise level, self-weighing, consuming diets higher in protein, and spending less time watching television compared to overweight adolescents who did not lose weight. Unhealthful weight control behaviors and specific weight loss plans were not associated with weight loss in these teenagers. Adolescents would benefit from hearing this information to prevent the development of these behaviors. Providers should advise adolescents to engage in healthful weight control behaviors, such as increasing physical activity and decreasing the amount of time spent watching television, to assist with weight management.

Duke Scholars

Author Mary T Story Family Medicine and Community Health