Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors Research Articles

Associations between weight talk exposure and unhealthy weight control behaviors among young adults: A person-centered approach to examining how much the source and type of weight talk matters

This study characterized common patterns of weight talk and examined associations with unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) in young adults. Participants (n = 1298) were from EAT 2018 (Eating and Activity Over Time), a population-based study of emerging adults (mean age = 22.2; 53.6 % women). Latent class analyses (LCA) derived classes based on weight talk exposure for men and women. Generalized linear models examined the association between weight talk classes and extreme/less extreme UWCBs. LCA results revealed 4 patterns of weight talk exposure among young adult women: minimal weight talk (38.8 %), peer weight talk (35.2 %), multi-source weight talk (13.5 %), and parental weight talk (12.6 %). Three classes emerged among men: minimal weight talk (44.0 %), peer weight talk (29.7 %), and multi-source weight talk (26.3 %). Among young adult women, the parental weight talk class reported the highest levels of extreme and less extreme UWCBs. Among young adult men, the multi-source weight talk class reported the highest levels of less extreme UWCBs. Results provide evidence regarding the importance of parental weight talk, even among young adult children, whether or not parental weight talk is accompanied by peer weight talk. Parents have the potential to improve their young adults’ weight-related behaviors through avoiding weight talk.

Factors Associated With Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors Among a Representative Sample of U.S. High School Students.

Adolescents often practice unhealthy behaviors to lose weight or keep from gaining weight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has conducted biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of various health risk behaviors since 1991 using U.S. representative samples of high school students and is therefore best for us to identify risk/preventive factors associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCB). We quantitatively assessed the association between various health risk behaviors with UWCB by gender using YRBS data. Due to the absence of UWCB items since 2015, we analyzed the latest (2013) data using binary multiple logistic regression. Among the 13,583 participants, 22.7% of girls and 10.1% of boys engaged in UWCB. Among girls and boys separately, the common significant factors included suicidal behaviors, alcohol drinking, misused prescription drug, feeling depressed, skipping breakfast, and attending physical education class. School nurses are suggested to have knowledge about the aforementioned risk factors and provide assessment, consultation, and education to help reduce UWCB.

State body dissatisfaction predicts momentary positive and negative affect but not weight control behaviors: an ecological momentary assessment study.

Body dissatisfaction is ubiquitous in our society and leads to eating disorders. Longitudinal research suggests that higher body dissatisfaction predicts higher negative affect and unhealthy weight control behaviors over time. However, no study has assessed how body dissatisfaction impacts affect and weight control behaviorsin the moment. In the current study, we examined the momentaryrelationships between body dissatisfaction, affect and weight control behaviors using ecological momentary assessment. Female college students (N = 67) completed measures of state body dissatisfaction, affect, and weight control behaviors across fourteen days using ecological momentary assessment. Greater body dissatisfaction significantly predicted lower subsequent positive affect and higher subsequent negative affect, but positive and negative affect did not predict subsequent body dissatisfaction. Daily average body dissatisfaction was not significantly associated with daily engagement in either healthy or unhealthy weight control behaviors. Short-term negative effects of body dissatisfaction on affect were apparent. Targeting body dissatisfaction may be important for improving affect. Level IV, multiple time series without intervention.

Affect and engagement in healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviors in college women: An ecological momentary assessment study

PurposeThe relationships between momentary affect and weight control behaviors have been extensively studied in samples of individuals with eating disorders, but we do not know that the established relationships translate to healthy college women. The current study examined the relationship between affect and weight control behaviors in healthy college women. MethodFemale college students (N = 67) completed measures of negative affect, positive affect, healthy weight control behaviors, and unhealthy weight control behaviors across fourteen days using ecological momentary assessment. ResultsAverage daily negative affect was inversely associated with daily engagement in unhealthy weight control behaviors, but was not associated with healthy weight control behaviors. Average daily positive affect was not associated with daily engagement in healthy or unhealthy weight control behaviors. ConclusionNegative affect was inversely associated with engagement in unhealthy weight control behaviors in this female undergraduate sample. Future studies should continue to elucidate the differences in the relationships in samples of individuals with ED psychopathology vs. healthy samples.

Unhealthy weight control behaviors among a sample of U.S. journalists.

Research on body image and weight control behaviors among journalists is limited. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the experiences of unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs), binge eating, and appearance-related pressures among a sample of journalists in the United States (U.S.). We administered an online survey to journalists assessing their roles in the news industry, engagement in UWCBs (e.g., vomiting, laxative use, dieting, fasting) and binge eating. Odds ratios of the outcomes were estimated using a series of multivariate logistic regression models. Over 68%, 19%, and 30% of participants reported they went on a diet, fasted for weight control, and binge ate, respectively. Our results suggest on-air journalists demonstrated higher odds of dieting compared to their counterparts who do not work in front of the camera. Furthermore, some journalists reported being subjected to appearance-related pressures in the industry. Our results provide a glimpse of weight control behaviors, binge eating, and appearance-related pressures among workers in the U.S. journalism industry. Given the concerning prevalence of purging and binge eating in our sample, future studies should assess whether journalists represent an occupation group that is at high risk of developing eating disorders.

Associations between socioeconomic and family determinants and weight-control behaviours among adolescents.

Family factors may play a role in adolescents' weight-control behaviours (WCB), and economic determinants strongly affect adolescents' health in terms of unhealthy weight-control behaviours (UWCB). This study examines the nexus of socioeconomic status, perceived family wealth, and number of employed parents and Israeli adolescents' WCB and asks whether family-related variables mediate WCB. Data from the 2014 Israeli Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study are analysed using structural equation modelling. High family affluence and high perceived family wealth are negatively associated with UWCB. Having two employed parents related to lower levels of UWCB. Family-related variables such as family communication and support and parental monitoring mitigate UWCB. Family meals have a significantly positive effect on healthy weight-control behaviour (HWCB) and a significantly negative impact on unhealthy weight-control activities. The findings suggest that economic factors such as socioeconomic status and number of employed parents should be taken into account in long-term weight-control practice. The combination of WCB and family meals is the most effective method for adolescents' healthy weight-control behaviour.

Youth safety perceptions of weight control behaviors: A moderated mediation study

BackgroundYouth may engage in healthy weight control behaviors (HWCBs) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) to lose or maintain weight. Youth observation of WCBs by supporter groups (parents/siblings/peers) and youth beliefs about the safety of WCBs may impact which WCBs youth use. The primary aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of youth safety perceptions of WCBs on the relationships between supporter group engagement in WCBs and youth engagement in WCBs. Youth BMI-z-score was analyzed as a moderator. MethodsParticipants were 219 youth (52.1% females), ages 10–17, attending an outpatient medical appointment. Participants completed questionnaires about their WCB use, whether they perceived WCBs as safe/unsafe, and whether they perceived parents, siblings and peers to use WCBs. A standardized formula including youth age, sex, height, and weight was used to calculate BMI-z-score. ResultsA moderated mediation model examining parental and youth engagement in UWCBs revealed that for youth in the healthy to overweight/obese (OV/OB) range, greater safety perception of UWCBs mediated the relationship between higher parent engagement in UWCBs and higher youth engagement in UWCBs. Furthermore, youth safety perception of HWCBs mediated the relationship between perceived parent, sibling, and peer engagement in HWCBs and youth engagement in HWCBs. ConclusionThis study identifies perceived parent, sibling, and peer WCBs and youth safety perceptions as mechanisms affecting youth WCB engagement, particularly for youth in the OV/OB range. Intervention effectiveness may increase if parent, sibling, and peer WCBs are targeted and education about safe/unsafe ways to control weight is provided.

The prevalence of weight-control behaviors and associated factors among adolescent girls in Tehran.

Weight control behavior is a strategy for weight loss or weight gains that range from healthy to unhealthy. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of weight control behaviors and their related factors in adolescent girls in Tehran. Adolescent girls in the last grade of high school (n=491) that were selected by a multi-stage sampling method completed a cross-sectional survey (2018) in Tehran city in Iran. Data were collected using questionnaires (standard and researcher-made) by the self-report method and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square, independent t-test, and logistic regression. 17.5% of adolescents had healthy, 60.6% had unhealthy, 15.8% had extreme unhealthy weight control behaviors, and 6.1% had no weight control behaviors. 74.8% of adolescents were in the normal body mass index (BMI) percentile. Unhealthy weight control behaviors were observed more than healthy behaviors at all BMI levels. Weight control behaviors had significant relationships with weight control intention (p=0.005), family (p=0.016) and peers (p=0.011) encouragement to weight control, engagement of relatives in weight control behaviors (p=0.016), anxiety (p<0.001), and age (p=0.030). BMI has a positive correlation with body weight satisfaction (p<0.001) and body weight perception (p<0.001). The results of logistic regression showed that increasing anxiety score can increase the possibility of engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors (odd ratio=1.086, p=0.006). Considering that a significant percentage of adolescents have unhealthy and extreme unhealthy weight control behaviors, and some of these behaviors leave irreversible effects on the health of this age group, design, and implementation of educational programs to prevent such behaviors seem imperative.

Using self-determination theory to understand eating behaviors and weight change in emerging adults

IntroductionCollege may be a time when emerging adults establish eating patterns that influence future weight trajectories. Self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) supports autonomous regulation of behavior, which is associated with healthier behaviors. When needs are frustrated, individuals feel as though their behaviors are controlled by others, which is associated with unhealthy behaviors. This study used SDT to examine a model for associated body satisfaction, eating/weight control behaviors, and weight change. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, undergraduates (N = 875; 57% women; AgeM = 20 ± 1.4 yrs.; BMIM = 24.3 ± 4.4) completed measures of need satisfaction and frustration, behavioral regulation of healthy weight, body satisfaction, eating/weight control behaviors, and weight change in their first semester of college. ResultsStructural equation modeling showed that need satisfaction was positively associated with greater autonomous regulation, which was positively associated with greater body satisfaction and fruit/vegetable intake. Conversely, greater need frustration was associated with greater controlled regulation, which was associated with lower body satisfaction. Participants who had greater body satisfaction engaged in fewer unhealthy weight control behaviors. Engaging in more unhealthy behaviors was associated with greater weight gain during the first semester of college, whereas fruit and vegetable intake was not associated with weight change. The associations were stronger for women than men, particularly for the relationships between body satisfaction and unhealthy weight control behaviors and increased weight gain. ConclusionsThe model was generally supported, suggesting that psychological need satisfaction and autonomous motivation in college students may facilitate greater body satisfaction and healthier eating behaviors. Future longitudinal research is needed to clarify the factors that influence health behaviors and weight gain in college students.

Does exposure to controlling parental feeding practices during adolescence predict disordered eating behaviors 8 years later in emerging adulthood?

To examine how exposure to controlling parental feeding practices during adolescence is associated with disordered eating behaviors in emerging adulthood. Data were analyzed from 543 males and 769 females (Mage at baseline = 14.5 years, Mage at follow-up = 22.7 years) and their parents who participated in the population-based EAT 2010-2018 and Project F-EAT studies. Parental food restriction and pressure-to-eat practices were assessed with items from the Child Feeding Questionnaire. Regression models predicted chronic dieting, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and binge eating, adjusted for demographic covariates, adiposity, and outcome at baseline. Overall, exposure to controlling parental feeding practices during adolescence was not associated with disordered eating behaviors at eight-year follow-up, with one exception. Among males, maternal pressure-to-eat was associated with greater risk of chronic dieting in emerging adulthood. By emerging adulthood, other factors may be more salient with regard to disordered eating outcomes than parental feeding practices during adolescence.

Associations Between Weight Perception, Unhealthy Weight Control Behavior, and Suicidal Ideation and Planning Among Korean Adolescents: A National Cross-Sectional Secondary Analysis

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the associations between weight perception, unhealthy weight control behavior, and suicidal ideation and planning and identify the role of unhealthy weight control behavior as a mediator in these associations among Korean adolescents. Design and methodsThis national cross-sectional secondary study used data from the 2015–2017 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Surveys, with a final sample of 96,285 adolescents who tried to manage their weight in the 30 days prior to the surveys. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted. ResultsBoth adolescent groups who perceived themselves to be underweight or overweight were significantly linked to a greater likelihood of suicidal ideation and planning (COR, 95% CI = 1.249, 1.141–1.367; COR, 95% CI = 1.339, 1.282–1.399) respectively. While adolescents with perceptions of being underweight are associated with suicidal ideation and planning through the suppression effect of unhealthy weight control behavior (Pathway A: OR, 95% CI = 0.628, 0.587–0.671), adolescents with perceptions of being overweight are linked with the same through the mediation effect (Pathway A: OR, 95% CI = 1.195, 1.141–1.251). ConclusionsAdolescents with perceptions of being overweight are highly likely to have unhealthy weight control behavior that can be linked to the possibility of suicidal ideation and planning, while adolescents with perceptions of being underweight are comparatively less likely to engage in such behavior. Practice implicationsIt is necessary to identify the status of weight perception among adolescents and closely monitor the unhealthy weight control behavior to prevent suicidal ideation and planning.

Gay–Straight Alliances: A Mechanism of Health Risk Reduction Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Adolescents

Adolescents who identify as a sexual or gender minority are vulnerable to multiple health disparities because of stigma-based peer harassment. Given that sexual and gender minority adolescents may be bullied for several stigmatized identities that may exacerbate health risk, it is important to examine factors that can simultaneously reduce multiple forms of targeted victimization among sexual and gender minority adolescents. This study examines whether variation in health risk across sexual and gender minority adolescents who attend schools with versus without a gay-straight alliance can be explained by lessened bias-based bullying across a broad scope of stigmatized identities and attributes. Data on school-based gay-straight alliances, bias-based bullying, and health risk indicators were collected from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey (n=17,112; mean age=15.57 [SD=1.27] years) and analyzed in 2019. Multiple mediation analysis was conducted using latent variable structural equation modeling. The majority (73%) of sexual and gender minority adolescents were bullied for stigmatized identities other than those related to their gender or sexual orientation. Compared to schools without a gay-straight alliance, student reports of multiple forms of bias-based bullying (based on body weight, gender, religion, disability, gender typicality, sexual orientation) were lower at schools with gay-straight alliances, which in turn attenuated adverse health outcomes (i.e., stress, sleep problems, depression, and unhealthy weight control behaviors). Sexual and gender minority adolescents experience multiple forms of bias-based bullying, which independently heighten health risk, and this study extends previous work on gay-straight alliances to highlight a wider range of potential positive contributions to adolescent health.

Unhealthy weight control behaviors, disordered eating, and body image dissatisfaction in adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil.

Objective:To identify the frequency of disordered eating (DE) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCB) among adolescents and associations with age, sex, actual weight status, perceived weight status, and body image dissatisfaction.Methods:Cross-sectional study of 1,156 adolescents. DE was assessed using a specific self-report questionnaire, UWCB by specific behaviors that were not typically recommended for weight management, and body dissatisfaction by Stunkard’s silhouettes.Results:The frequency of DE was 17.3%, and that of UWCB, 31.9%; 80.1% of participants were dissatisfied with body image. Perception of oneself as overweight was associated with 1.795-fold odds of DE. Those with UWCB had 7.389-fold odds of DE, while DE increased the odds of UWCB 7.280-fold. Girls, participants who perceived themselves as overweight, and those who reported body dissatisfaction were 2.266, 2.381, and 1.752 times more likely to have UWCB, respectively.Conclusion:A high prevalence of UWCB and a moderate prevalence of DE behaviors was found in adolescents from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Those who perceived themselves as overweight had more DE and UWCB, and both behaviors were related. UWCB was more common in girls and among those dissatisfied with their bodies.

Household food insecurity: associations with disordered eating behaviours and overweight in a population-based sample of adolescents.

To examine how household food insecurity is related to adolescent weight status and disordered eating. Cross-sectional, population-based study. Adolescents self-reported unhealthy weight control behaviours, binge eating and meal frequency; weight status was measured. Household food insecurity was assessed by asking parents to respond to the validated six-item US Household Food Security Survey Module. Adolescents surveyed within Minneapolis/St. Paul public middle and high schools completed surveys at school, and their parents/guardians were surveyed by mail during the 2009-2010 academic year. Ethnically/racially diverse, primarily low-income adolescents (mean age: 14·4 years, range: 10-22 years) and their parents/guardians (n 2285 dyads). More than one-third (38·9 %) of the adolescents experienced past-year household food insecurity, 43·2 % reported disordered eating and 39·6 % were overweight. Generalised regression models showed that food insecure (FI) compared with food secure (FS) adolescents had higher prevalence of overweight (FI: 42·3 % v. FS: 37·9 %, P = 0·039), lower breakfast consumption (FI: 4·1 times/week v. FS: 4·4 times/week, P = 0·005) and greater use of unhealthy weight control behaviours (FI: 49·0 % v. FS: 39·5 %, P < 0·001) in unadjusted models. Models adjusted for parental education, ethnicity/race, sex and age found that food insecurity was associated with higher prevalence of unhealthy weight control behaviours (FI: 44·5 % v. FS: 37·8 %, P = 0·007), but not with weight status or other eating behaviours. These results suggest that food insecurity may be an independent risk factor for unhealthy weight control behaviours, indicating a need to approach these intersecting issues in a comprehensive manner.

Associations between trying to control weight, weight control behaviors and current electronic cigarette usage in middle and high school students: A cross-sectional study in Zhejiang Province, China.

INTRODUCTIONPrevious research has indicated that weight control behaviors are linked to cigarette smoking, whether these relationships extend to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is unknown. This study aims to examine the association between weight control behaviors and current e-cigarette usage among middle and high school students in China.METHODSBased on the 2017 Zhejiang Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 17359 students were included and relevant data involving e-cigarette and weight control behaviors were collected via self-reported questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between trying to control weight, specific weight control behaviors and current e-cigarette usage. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.RESULTSOf the 17359 students, 374 (2.15%) were current e-cigarette users. No significant association was observed between trying to control weight and current e-cigarette usage (OR=1.01; 95% CI: 0.81–1.28). Significant associations were found between current e-cigarette usage and unhealthy weight control behaviors of eating less food, fewer calories (OR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.33–2.27), as well as taking laxatives (OR=3.34; 95% CI: 2.11–5.27), taking diet pills (OR=2.63; 95% CI: 1.72–4.02) and going without eating for 24 hours or more (OR=2.74; 95% CI: 1.86–4.04).CONCLUSIONSA positive association was found between unhealthy weight control behaviors and current e-cigarette usage in adolescents. Specific education programs on unhealthy weight control behaviors should be considered in adolescents.

Body-related comments experienced by Chinese young women: A cross-sectional study.

Within Chinese culture, one way that family and friends demonstrate that they care about one-another is by making body-related comments. How such comments are experienced by young women, in particular, including how they relate to their psychological disposition and/or use of unhealthy weight control behaviors, is unknown. The purposes of this study were to understand the frequency and type of body-related comments Chinese college women received, from whom, and their associations with body mass index (BMI), body satisfaction, body change motivations, and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Women from a comprehensive university in Southwest China (N = 236) participated in this cross-sectional study. Results showed that female Chinese college students received body-related comments most frequently from their friends, followed by parents, and romantic partners. While the frequency of receiving body-related comments was not associated with BMI, higher frequencies were associated with stronger motivation to lose weight/fat and to practice unhealthy weight control behaviors. Additionally, positive body-related comments from romantic partners were associated with higher motivation to gain weight/muscle and/or to maintain weight. Furthermore, positive body-related comments from friends were associated with higher body satisfaction. Educational programs are needed to help female Chinese college students and members of their social networks recognize and understand the potential impact associated with giving body-related comments. Screening protocols for unhealthy weight control behaviors and appropriate counseling services should also be developed and made available.

Intuitive eating longitudinally predicts better psychological health and lower use of disordered eating behaviors: findings from EAT 2010-2018.

To examine longitudinal associations of intuitive eating (IE), defined as eating according to internal hunger and satiety cues, with psychological health outcomes and disordered eating behaviors. Data from a diverse sample of 1491 participants (54.1% female, 19.7% non-Hispanic white) followed from adolescence (baseline; Mage = 14.5years) into young adulthood (follow-up; Mage = 22.2years) came from the population-based EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) study. Logistic regression models predicting psychological health outcomes and disordered eating behaviors at follow-up simultaneously included baseline IE and change in IE from baseline to follow-up as predictors, adjusting for demographic covariates, body mass index, and outcome at baseline. Greater baseline IE and increases in IE from baseline to follow-up were both associated with lower odds of high depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, high body dissatisfaction, unhealthy weight control behaviors (e.g., fasting, skipping meals), extreme weight control behaviors (e.g., taking diet pills, vomiting), and binge eating at 8-year follow-up. Particularly strong protective associations were observed for binge eating, such that a one-point higher IE score at baseline was associated with 74% lower odds of binge eating at follow-up, and a one-point higher increase in IE score from baseline to follow-up was associated with 71% lower odds of binge eating at follow-up. These results indicate that IE longitudinally predicts better psychological and behavioral health across a range of outcomes and suggest that IE may be a valuable intervention target for improving psychological health and reducing disordered eating behaviors, particularly binge eating. Level III, cohort study.

Unhealthy weight control behaviors among Ethiopian female adolescents.

Unhealthy weight control behaviors are a serious concern, impairing the quality of life in adolescents. Although recent epidemiological studies indicate a high level of disordered eating in developing countries, such data in Ethiopia are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to determine the extent of unhealthy weight control behaviors (i.e., purging and nonpurging) and corresponding associated factors among urban Ethiopian adolescents. A cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires was applied to 690 randomly selected female high school adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2017. Measures included unhealthy weight control behaviors, body mass index, subjective perception of body weight, appearance satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and socio-demographic factors. Logistic regression was applied for data analyses, that is, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The level of unhealthy weight control behaviors (i.e., a score of at least once a week in the last 1 month) was 30.7% (N = 208). Specifically, the extent of purging and nonpurging weight control behaviors was 1.5% (N = 10) and 29.8% (N = 202), respectively. Factors that were significantly associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors were perception of being overweight [aOR = 3.01; 95%CI: 1.11-8.11], being overweight [aOR = 3.28; 95%CI: 1.54-7.01], severe depression [aOR = 4.09; 95%CI: 1.73-9.96], and high socio-economic status [aOR = 2.07; 95%CI: 1.30-2.80]. This study reveals a considerable level of unhealthy weight control behaviors among female adolescents in an urban setting in Ethiopia. Researchers and policy makers should focus their attention upon this emerging public health challenge and develop associated strategies.

Public Health Messages and Weight-Related Beliefs: Implications for Well-Being and Stigma.

Across two studies, we examined the double-edged sword hypothesis, which outlines effects of weight-related beliefs and public health messages on physical and mental health. The double-edged sword hypothesis proposes that growth mindsets and messages (weight is changeable) predict reduced well-being and stigma via an increase in blame, but also predict greater well-being via an increase in efficacy and less stigma via a reduction in essentialist thinking. We tested this model in a correlational study (N = 311) and in an experimental study, randomly assigning participants (N = 392) to different weight-based public health messages. In Study 1, growth mindsets predicted greater onset blame and more offset efficacy. Blame did not predict any of the outcomes. However, offset efficacy predicted reduced risk for eating disorders, fewer unhealthy weight control behaviors, and less psychological distress. And, growth mindsets had a negative indirect effect on outcomes. In Study 2, we experimentally demonstrated that a changeable message about the nature of weight, designed to also reduce blame, indirectly decreased eating disorder risk, unhealthy weight control behaviors, body shame, and prejudice through increased offset efficacy and decreased social essentialism. This work contributes to our theoretical understanding of the psychological consequences of weight beliefs and messages on well-being and stigma.

Clustering of obesogenic behaviors and association with body image among Brazilian adolescents in the national school-based health survey (PeNSE 2015).

This study aimed to examine the association between clusters of obesogenic behaviors and body image indicators among a population-based sample of Brazilian adolescents. Data from a cross-sectional country representative survey of 9th grade students (N = 102,301) were analyzed. Physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and body image indicators (i.e. satisfaction, perception, value, and weight control attitudes and behaviors) were self-reported. Three clusters were previously validated with two-steps cluster analysis: "Health-promoting SB and diet", "Health-promoting PA and diet", and "Health-risk". Multinomial and binary logistic regression were used to associate clusters with body image indicators. Adolescents in the healthier clusters were more likely to be satisfied/very satisfied with body image and perceive themselves as having normal weight than those in the "Health-risk" cluster. Boys in both health-promoting clusters were more likely to consider body image as being important/very important and perceive themselves to be thin/very thin. Adolescents in the "Health-promoting PA and diet" cluster were more likely to be trying to lose or gain weight than those in the "Health-risk" cluster. Girls in the "Health-promoting SB and diet" cluster had lower odds of adopting unhealthy weight control behaviors than those in the "Health-risk" cluster. The effect of obesogenic behaviors on distinct aspects of body image was confirmed and found to vary according to different synergies between adolescents' health-related behavior. These findings provide important insights on the understanding of behavioral profiles which can be targeted to prevent unhealthy weight control behaviors and weight related disorders, especially among girls.