Abstract
BackgroundSubstance use and poor dietary practices are prevalent among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine frequency of substance use and associations between cigarette, alcohol and marijuana use and selected dietary practices, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, high-fat foods, fruits and vegetables, and frequency of fast food restaurant use among alternative high school students. Associations between multi-substance use and the same dietary practices were also examined.MethodsA convenience sample of adolescents (n = 145; 61% minority, 52% male) attending six alternative high schools in the St Paul/Minneapolis metropolitan area completed baseline surveys. Students were participants in the Team COOL (Controlling Overweight and Obesity for Life) pilot study, a group randomized obesity prevention pilot trial. Mixed model multivariate analyses procedures were used to assess associations of interest.ResultsDaily cigarette smoking was reported by 36% of students. Cigarette smoking was positively associated with consumption of regular soda (p = 0.019), high-fat foods (p = 0.037), and fast food restaurant use (p = 0.002). Alcohol (p = 0.005) and marijuana use (p = 0.035) were positively associated with high-fat food intake. With increasing numbers of substances, a positive trend was observed in high-fat food intake (p = 0.0003). There were no significant associations between substance use and fruit and vegetable intake.ConclusionsAlternative high school students who use individual substances as well as multiple substances may be at high risk of unhealthful dietary practices. Comprehensive health interventions in alternative high schools have the potential of reducing health-compromising behaviors that are prevalent among this group of students. This study adds to the limited research examining substance use and diet among at-risk youth.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01315743
Highlights
Substance use and poor dietary practices are prevalent among adolescents
Research on correlations of individual substances and eating behaviors indicates that smoking is associated with greater consumption of fat [21], soft drinks [16], and fast food [22] and with lower consumption of fruits and vegetables [22,23,24,25]; alcohol is associated with fat intake [21]
Females and males reported equal percentages of daily cigarette (36%) and marijuana (13%) use. White students and those in higher socioeconomic status (SES) had higher daily consumption of each substance compared to their counterparts
Summary
The purpose of this study was to examine frequency of substance use and associations between cigarette, alcohol and marijuana use and selected dietary practices, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, high-fat foods, fruits and vegetables, and frequency of fast food restaurant use among alternative high school students. Substance use and poor dietary practices are prevalent among adolescents [1,2]. Research on correlations of individual substances and eating behaviors indicates that smoking is associated with greater consumption of fat [21], soft drinks [16], and fast food [22] and with lower consumption of fruits and vegetables [22,23,24,25]; alcohol is associated with fat intake [21]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
