BACKGROUND: Dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors are common among adolescents and questions exist regarding their long-term effect on weight status. OBJECTIVE: To examine 10-year longitudinal associations between dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors and changes in body mass index (BMI) from adolescence to young adulthood. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A diverse population-based sample of middle school and high school adolescents participating in Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) was followed up for 10 years. Participants (N = 1,902) completed surveys in 1998-1999 (Project EAT-I), 2003-2004 (Project EAT-II), and 2008-2009 (Project EAT-III). Dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors at Time 1 and Time 2 were used to predict 10-year changes in BMI at Time 3, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and Time 1 BMI. RESULTS: Dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors at both Time 1 and Time 2 predicted greater BMI increases at Time 3 in males and females, as compared with no use of these behaviors. For example, females using unhealthy weight control behaviors at both Time 1 and Time 2 increased their BMI by 4.63 units as compared with 2.29 units in females not using these behaviors (p < .001). Associations were found in both overweight and nonoverweight respondents. Specific weight control behaviors at Time 1 that predicted larger BMI increases at Time 3 included skipping meals and reporting eating very little (females and males), use of food substitutes (males), and use of diet pills (females). CONCLUSIONS: Findings clearly indicate that dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors, as reported by adolescents, predict significant weight gain over time.
BACKGROUND: Dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors are common among adolescents and questions exist regarding their long-term effect on weight status. OBJECTIVE: To examine 10-year longitudinal associations between dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors and changes in body mass index (BMI) from adolescence to young adulthood. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A diverse population-based sample of middle school and high school adolescents participating in Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) was followed up for 10 years. Participants (N = 1,902) completed surveys in 1998-1999 (Project EAT-I), 2003-2004 (Project EAT-II), and 2008-2009 (Project EAT-III). Dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors at Time 1 and Time 2 were used to predict 10-year changes in BMI at Time 3, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and Time 1 BMI. RESULTS: Dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors at both Time 1 and Time 2 predicted greater BMI increases at Time 3 in males and females, as compared with no use of these behaviors. For example, females using unhealthy weight control behaviors at both Time 1 and Time 2 increased their BMI by 4.63 units as compared with 2.29 units in females not using these behaviors (p < .001). Associations were found in both overweight and nonoverweight respondents. Specific weight control behaviors at Time 1 that predicted larger BMI increases at Time 3 included skipping meals and reporting eating very little (females and males), use of food substitutes (males), and use of diet pills (females). CONCLUSIONS: Findings clearly indicate that dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors, as reported by adolescents, predict significant weight gain over time.
Authors: Dianne Neumark-Sztainer; Jillian Croll; Mary Story; Peter J Hannan; Simone A French; Cheryl Perry Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2002-11 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Alison E Field; S B Austin; C B Taylor; Susan Malspeis; Bernard Rosner; Helaine R Rockett; Matthew W Gillman; Graham A Colditz Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2003-10 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Carolyn M Pearson; Jonathan Miller; Diann M Ackard; Katie A Loth; Melanie M Wall; Ann F Haynos; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2017-02-15 Impact factor: 4.861
Authors: Ann F Haynos; Allison W Watts; Katie A Loth; Carolyn M Pearson; Dianne Neumark-Stzainer Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2016-05-07 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Jason M Nagata; Andrea K Garber; Jennifer Tabler; Stuart B Murray; Eric Vittinghoff; Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2018-07-21 Impact factor: 4.861