Unhealthy Weight Loss Practices Among
Adolescents
Weight Loss Study Aim
To compare body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight-loss practices among
adolescents with and without chronic illness. 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. We measured body concerns,
binge eating, frequent dieting, vomiting, and laxative or diuretic use
among adolescents.
Weight Loss Study 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, socio-economic status, and body mass index.
Weight Loss Study 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.
Source: Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Resnick
MD, Garwick A, Blum RW. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent
Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
USA. 1995
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