Eating habits, physical activity and risky behaviors of youth practicing weight control

This secondary data analysis was conducted to: (1) evaluate a nationally representative sample of adolescents to determine the prevalence of weight control methods according to youth's weight status and (2) examine if overweight youth are using the recommended methods of weight control according to Healthy People 2010. The data were from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health of pubescent adolescents (N = 13,570) ages 11 to 18 yr. Health behaviors were examined by weight categories of under- (UW), average (AW) and overweight (OW) using Body Mass Index (kg/m2). Analyses showed youth of all weight categories used some form of weight control; the highest percentage were OW youth (89%), then AW youth (55%), and even UW youth (30%). AW youth used the most extreme methods of weight control e.g. laxatives, vomiting and diet pills. The adolescents most likely to use weight control were young, white and female. Boys and girls most frequently reported the use of "exercise for weight control" (45% & 52%). Weight control was associated with positive health behaviors of increased exercise (OR = 1.59) and eating less fast food (OR = 1.54), but with the negative behaviors of skipping breakfast (OR = 1.56) and consuming more alcohol (OR = 1.58). Those using weight control were not more likely to eat five fruits and vegetables, unfortunately, or to drink milk once a day or to eat a variety of food. The findings suggest the importance of assessing weight control use in all adolescents to ensure that health is not being compromised.