Dianne Neumark-Sztainer1, Melanie M Wall2, Chen Chen2, Nicole I Larson3, Mary J Christoph4, Nancy E Sherwood3. 1. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Electronic address: neumark@epi.umn.edu. 2. Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, New York. 3. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Determining the population-based scope and stability of eating, activity, and weight-related problems is critical to inform interventions. This study examines: (1) the prevalence of eating, activity, and weight-related problems likely to influence health; and (2) the trajectories for having at least one of these problems during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. METHODS: Project EAT I-IV (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) collected longitudinal survey data from 858 females and 597 males at four waves, approximately every 5 years, from 1998 to 2016, during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Analyses were conducted in 2017-2018. Measures included high fast-food intake (≥3 times/week), low physical activity (<150 minutes/week), unhealthy weight control, body dissatisfaction, and obesity status. RESULTS: Among females, the prevalence of having at least one eating, activity, or weight-related problems was 78.1% at Wave 1 (adolescence) and 82.3% at Wave 4 (adulthood); in males, the prevalence was 60.1% at Wave 1 and 69.2% at Wave 4. Of all outcomes assessed, unhealthy weight control behaviors had the highest prevalence in both genders. The stability of having at least one problem was high; 60.2% of females and 34.1% of males had at least one problematic outcome at all four waves. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of young people have some type of eating, activity, or weight-related problem at all stages from adolescence to adulthood. Findings indicate a need for wide-reaching interventions that address a broad spectrum of eating, activity, and weight-related problems prior to and throughout this developmental period.
INTRODUCTION: Determining the population-based scope and stability of eating, activity, and weight-related problems is critical to inform interventions. This study examines: (1) the prevalence of eating, activity, and weight-related problems likely to influence health; and (2) the trajectories for having at least one of these problems during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. METHODS: Project EAT I-IV (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) collected longitudinal survey data from 858 females and 597 males at four waves, approximately every 5 years, from 1998 to 2016, during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Analyses were conducted in 2017-2018. Measures included high fast-food intake (≥3 times/week), low physical activity (<150 minutes/week), unhealthy weight control, body dissatisfaction, and obesity status. RESULTS: Among females, the prevalence of having at least one eating, activity, or weight-related problems was 78.1% at Wave 1 (adolescence) and 82.3% at Wave 4 (adulthood); in males, the prevalence was 60.1% at Wave 1 and 69.2% at Wave 4. Of all outcomes assessed, unhealthy weight control behaviors had the highest prevalence in both genders. The stability of having at least one problem was high; 60.2% of females and 34.1% of males had at least one problematic outcome at all four waves. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of young people have some type of eating, activity, or weight-related problem at all stages from adolescence to adulthood. Findings indicate a need for wide-reaching interventions that address a broad spectrum of eating, activity, and weight-related problems prior to and throughout this developmental period.
Authors: Jennifer Falbe; Walter C Willett; Bernard Rosner; Steve L Gortmaker; Kendrin R Sonneville; Alison E Field Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2014-08-13 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Cynthia Yoon; Susan M Mason; Laura Hooper; Marla E Eisenberg; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2019-10-18 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Mary Christoph; Elina Järvelä-Reijonen; Laura Hooper; Nicole Larson; Susan M Mason; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: Appetite Date: 2021-01-09 Impact factor: 3.868