Teens, Weight Loss & Diets
Weight Loss Study Summary
Teens who use extreme methods like diet pills or vomiting to control their
weight are also more likely to smoke, drink, use marijuana and attempt
suicide, a new weight loss study of adolescent dieting behavior concludes.
Weight Loss Study - Extreme Dieters
These extreme dieters made up 19.2 percent of the 4,187 teens surveyed
in the study. Another 43.2 percent of the teens were moderate dieters,
who ate less and exercised more to control their weight. These moderate
dieters were less likely to smoke cigarettes and use marijuana than extreme
dieters were.
Weight Loss Study - Race Behaviors
The weight loss study surveyed dieting behaviors in white and black boys
and girls. While there were some notable differences in dieting methods
between genders and races - the high prevalence rates of extreme weight-control
methods across all gender-race categories are a concern.
Weight Loss Study - Weight Control Methods
White girls reported higher rates of use for all weight control methods
compared to white boys, but black boys had higher rates of diet pill use
and vomiting compared to black girls, the researchers found. Both black
and white extreme dieting girls were more likely to engage in vigorous
exercise compared to extreme dieting boys.
Weight Loss Study - Men & Body Image
The highest rates of extreme and moderate dieting were found among white
girls in the study, but the researchers caution that boys should not be
ignored in weight-control studies. Men are increasingly becoming dissatisfied
with their body image.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
Researchers note that the links between extreme dieting and other unhealthy
behaviors like smoking and drinking, may reflect underlying problems of
self-esteem or peer influence.
Source: Press Release, 2002. Health Behavior
News Service
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