Correlates of unhealthy weight-control behaviors among adolescents: Implications for prevention programs.
Health PsychologyPublished 1 January 2003
Dianne Neumark‐Sztainer, Melanie M. Wall, Mary Story, Cheryl L. Perry
Citations220
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SJR score1.28
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TL;DR
Findings suggest the importance of addressing weight-body concerns within prevention programs and extending interventions beyond classroom settings to ensure changes in weight-related norms among peer groups and family members.
Abstract
This study aimed to identify correlates of unhealthy weight-control behaviors in adolescents to guide the development of programs aimed at the primary prevention of disordered eating. A model explaining unhealthy weight-control behaviors was tested among 4,746 adolescents using structural equation modeling. Models fit the data well and explained 76% of the variance in unhealthy weight-control behaviors among girls and 63% among boys. Weight-body concerns were a strong correlate of unhealthy weight-control behaviors in both girls and boys. Models also emphasized the importance of weight-specific social norms within the adolescent's proximal environment. Findings suggest the importance of addressing weight-body concerns within prevention programs and extending interventions beyond classroom settings to ensure changes in weight-related norms among peer groups and family members.
Keywords
PsychologyMedicineHealth Professions
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