Rachel F Rodgers1, Karen E Peterson2, Anne T Hunt3, Jennifer L Spadano-Gasbarro4, Tracy K Richmond5, Mary L Greaney6, S Bryn Austin7. 1. Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, USA. Electronic address: rodgers.rachel@gmail.com. 2. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, USA; Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA. 3. Hunt Consulting Associates, Thetford Center, VT, USA. 4. Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. 5. Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA. 6. Health Studies & Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, USA. 7. Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study examined whether racial/ethnic minority early adolescents with overweight/obesity are at increased risk of disordered weight control behaviors, defined as unhealthy behaviors aiming to control or modify shape and weight, ranging from self-induced vomiting to the use of dietary supplements. METHODS: U.S. Middle school children (n=12.511) provided self-report of gender, race/ethnicity, height, and weight as well as dieting and disordered weight control behaviors. RESULTS: In the entire sample, 25.6% (n=1514) of girls and 16.6% (n=1098) of boys reported dieting within the last month, while 3.5% (n=200) of girls and 2.7% (n=176) of boys reported DWCB. Within all racial/ethnic groups, participants classified as being overweight/obese (34% to 50%) were more likely to report dieting compared to their counterparts without overweight/obesity (9.6% to 29.6%). Racial/ethnic minority children with overweight/obesity had an increased risk of dieting and disordered weight control behaviors compared to their counterparts without overweight/obesity, and, for some outcomes, compared to their White peers with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic minority early adolescents with overweight/obesity are a particularly vulnerable group for disordered eating.
BACKGROUND: This study examined whether racial/ethnic minority early adolescents with overweight/obesity are at increased risk of disordered weight control behaviors, defined as unhealthy behaviors aiming to control or modify shape and weight, ranging from self-induced vomiting to the use of dietary supplements. METHODS: U.S. Middle school children (n=12.511) provided self-report of gender, race/ethnicity, height, and weight as well as dieting and disordered weight control behaviors. RESULTS: In the entire sample, 25.6% (n=1514) of girls and 16.6% (n=1098) of boys reported dieting within the last month, while 3.5% (n=200) of girls and 2.7% (n=176) of boys reported DWCB. Within all racial/ethnic groups, participants classified as being overweight/obese (34% to 50%) were more likely to report dieting compared to their counterparts without overweight/obesity (9.6% to 29.6%). Racial/ethnic minority children with overweight/obesity had an increased risk of dieting and disordered weight control behaviors compared to their counterparts without overweight/obesity, and, for some outcomes, compared to their White peers with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic minority early adolescents with overweight/obesity are a particularly vulnerable group for disordered eating.
Authors: Crystal S Lim; Lisa M Anderson; David W Hollingsworth; Lindsay Shepherd; Shanda Sandridge; Sophie Lanciers Journal: Eat Disord Date: 2019 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 3.222