Unhealthy Weight Control Practices Research Articles

Eating Behavior Disorders and Disordered Eating Habits in Spanish High-Performance Women's Olympic Wrestling Athletes.

Eating disorders (EDs) are a significant health issue in combat sports. This study investigated the differences between the different types of female wrestlers and the frequency at which EDs occur in the elite population, and it also sought to establish which factors are predictors of EDs. This study was comprised of 22 elite, female wrestlers who were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: having previously been the Spanish champion, being part of the Spanish national team, participating in at least one international championship, and having a history of ED. Data collection involved five questionnaires: demographic data, the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), the Bulimic Investigatory Test, the Edinburgh (BITE), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-3), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The results revealed diverse levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, with BITE scores indicating abnormal eating patterns. Group comparisons exposed significant distinctions in eating behaviors based on competition and training experience. Regression analyses showed competition and training experience as predictors of bulimia severity and symptoms. The study revealed prevalent extreme weight-control practices, including fasting, diuretic and laxative use, and binge eating. This research emphasizes the importance of EDs in Olympic wrestling, urging a comprehensive approach involving education, support, and policy implementation by coaches, health professionals, and sports organizations to prioritize athletes' well-being and discourage unhealthy weight-control practices.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of STP on Knowledge Regarding Health Hazards of Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviours among Adolescent Girls Studying in B.V.V.S. High School Bagalkot

India is home to 253 million adolescents. India has the largest Adolescent population in the world, 253 million, and every fifth person is between 10 to 19 years. As per India’s census 2011, Youth (15-24 years) in India constitutes one-fifth (19.1%) of India’s total population. India is expected to have 34.33% share of youth in total population by 2020.As per the 2001 census; about 440 million individuals in India were below 18 years of age and constitute 42% of total population. Unhealthy weight control practices were reported by 37.9% of the females and by 15.9% of the males. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and can help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions. If you are overweight or obese, you are at higher risk of developing serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, Gallstones, breathing problems and certain cancers. That is why maintaining a healthy weight is so important. Teenagers adopt both healthy balanced diet and exercise, but those who are dissatisfied with their body and want to lose weight adopt smoking, use of laxatives, purging and fasting behaviours. So Raising awareness of the connection between obesity and unhealthy weight control in youth. Unhealthy weight control behaviours are at risk for depression and development of unhealthy weight control behaviours including using diet pills, purging, or fasting, explications of pathways leading to UWCBS. Adolescents who feel overweight are more likely to be actively trying to lose weight and may at risk for using harmful weight control behaviours will leads to further complications. The main focus of this study is to provide a positive force to enhance their full of energy and future productivity for the nation in a healthy manner. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on health hazards of unhealthy weight control behaviours among adolescent girls. Methods: The present study is a pre experimental: among 100 adolescent girls, using proportional stratified random technique. Here one experimental group of clients were selected with randomization and no control group is used. The data was collected by using the structured close ended knowledge questionnaire. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistical in terms of mean, frequency distribution, percentage, paired t test and chi square test. Results: Comparison of mean percentage of the knowledge scores of the pre test and post – test reveals an increase of 53.51% in the mean knowledge score of the adolescent girls after STP .Comparison of area wise mean and SD of the knowledge scores in the area of knowledge related shows that the pretest mean percentage of knowledge score was 44.76% with mean and SD 9.40±2.91 Where as post test mean percentage of knowledge score was 87.19% with mean and SD 18.31±1.40,Showing an effectiveness of 42.43%. Paired ‘t’ test was used to find out the significance of the difference between the pre-test knowledge and post-test knowledge scores of adolescent girls regarding Health hazards of unhealthy weight control behaviour . As calculated “t” value (6.71) was much higher than table “t’ value (1.96). Showing an effectiveness, The overall findings reveal that the percentage of post-test knowledge score was more when compared to the pre test knowledge score. Hence it indicates that the STP was effective in enhancing the knowledge of adolescent girls on Health hazards of unhealthy weight control behaviour. Conclusion: The overall findings of the study clearly show that the structured teaching programme was significantly effective in improving the knowledge level of Adolescent girls regarding Health hazards of Unhealthy weight control behaviour. Keywords: Assess, Effectiveness, Structured teaching programme, Knowledge, Health hazards, Unhealthy weight control behaviour, Adolescent girls.

Changes in Child Weight, Behaviors, and Family Dynamics during Parental Participation in a Medical Weight Management Program: A Longitudinal Uncontrolled Pilot Study.

Background: There is limited evidence of the effects of parental participation in outpatient medical weight management (MWM) programs on children. The aims of the project were to (1) identify time effects from parental participation in the MWM program on changes in child weight trajectories, healthy and unhealthy weight control practices, physical and sedentary activity, parental restrictive feeding and pressure to eat, and family functioning and communication and (2) determine differences based on child factors. Methods: A longitudinal uncontrolled pilot study was conducted, in which parent-child (ages 7-19) dyads completed assessments at parents' MWM program initiation, 3 months (mid-program), 6 months (end of program), and 12 months to determine sustained effects. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was completed using a mixed multilevel modeling approach using Restricted Maximum Likelihood estimation method; each outcome was additionally analyzed with child baseline weight status, age group, and sex as between-subjects factors. Results: Fifty three dyads met inclusion criteria, 23 completed the initial assessment (enrollment: 43.3%), and 13 completed the 12-month assessment (retention: 56.5%). Significant effects over time were observed for decreased parental restrictive feeding (p < 0.038) over 12 months, and group by time effects were observed for increased restrictive feeding for female compared to male children (p = 0.025) over 12 months. Marginally significant group by time effects were found for increased impaired family functioning (p = 0.054) and communication (p = 0.054) for children with overweight/obesity compared to healthy weight children over 12 months. Conclusions: Female children and children with overweight/obesity may experience increased negative family dynamics (restriction of food, family functioning, and communication) through parental MWM programs.

Weight Misperception among African American Adolescents: The Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study

Weight misperception is a common problem among adolescents; however, few studies have examined contributing factors among an exclusively African American population. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with weight misperception among 12- to 19-year-old participants in the Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study (JHS-KIDS). Data were drawn from JHS-KIDS, a prospective, observational examination of cardiovascular-related risk factors among African American adolescents who were children or grandchildren of participants in the Jackson Heart Study. Adolescent weight misperception - discordance between measured weight status and perceived weight status - was the primary outcome of interest. Self-reported weight control behaviors, parent concerns about adolescents' weight, parent-perceived responsibility for adolescent's weight and daily hassles were the primary independent variables of interest. The analytic sample was equally divided by females (n=107) and males (n=105) and one third of study participants (33.5%) had discordance between their actual and perceived weight. Results from fully adjusted sex-stratified modified Poisson regression models indicated that weight behavior control was significant among females (PR = .66, 95%CI:1.20-2.30). Parental concerns about child weight were significant for males. Each additional point increase in the parent's concern about their weight score was associated with a 9% increase in the adjusted prevalence of weight misperception among males (95%CI: 1.03-1.16). The sex-specific patterns in this study highlight heterogeneity among African American adolescents and an urgent need to consider sex and gender when developing targeted interventions for youth who are at high risk for weight misperceptions and unhealthy weight control practices.

Body image perception, smoking, alcohol use, indoor tanning, and disordered eating in young and middle-aged adults: findings from a large population-based Swedish study

BackgroundBody image concerns may give rise to a multitude of risk behaviors, such as unhealthy weight control practices, disordered eating behaviors (e.g., compensatory purging or preoccupation with food), smoking, excessive alcohol intake, or sunbed use. However, the distribution of these risk behaviors across adulthood has rarely been studied.MethodsThe aim of this study was to explore health risk behaviors as correlates of body image perception in a randomly selected study population of 30,245 individuals aged 30–66 in Stockholm, Sweden, utilizing data from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort. Bivariate correlations were explored and a hierarchic binary logistic regression analysis was performed.ResultsThe prevalence of body image discrepancy was higher among smokers and respondents displaying disordered eating behaviors. In contrast, alcohol and sunbed use were inversely correlated to body image discrepancy. Body mass index was the substantially strongest explanatory factor behind the observed variance in body image discrepancy, followed by loss-of-control eating. Notably, no major gender differences in body image perception were detected. Some unexpected patterns of association between variables other than body image perception, such as those between smoking, alcohol use, and sunbed use, were seen.ConclusionsOverall, the patterns differ substantially from what has previously been found in adolescent and young adult samples, indicating that the synergy and aggregation of risk behaviors observed among younger individuals may not apply to adults aged 30–66.

Food insecurity is associated with increased weight loss attempts in children and adolescents.

Household food insecurity (HFI) has been associated with adverse childhood outcomes and shares many common risk factors with obesity. Half of adolescents with overweight or obesity are actively attempting to lose weight. We aim to evaluate whether HFI is associated with weight loss attempts and unhealthy weight loss control practices in children. We examined cross-sectional data of children ages 8 to 15 years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Attempted weight loss was more common among children with very low food security (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.09, 2.07). Children with a healthy weight with very low food security had increased odds of attempting weight loss (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.00, 2.26) but there was no association in children with overweight or obesity. Very low food security was also associated with unhealthy weight control practices (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.93). Physicians should counsel all children and adolescents on healthy and unhealthy weight loss behaviours, regardless of weight or food security status.

Past, current, and future willingness to engage with treatment targets: Applying user-centered design to inform the design of a mobile behavioral intervention.

User-centered design can improve engagement with and the potential efficacy of behavioral interventions, but is underutilized in health care. This work demonstrates how design methodologies can inform the design of a mobile behavioral intervention for binge eating and obesity. A needs assessment was conducted with end-users (N = 22 adults with obesity and recurrent binge eating [≥12 episodes in 3 months] who were interested in losing weight and addressing binge eating), which included assessing participants' past/current and future willingness to engage with 20 treatment targets for managing binge eating and weight. Targets focused on improving dietary intake, increasing physical activity, and reducing overvaluation of weight and/or shape, unhealthy weight control practices, and negative affect. Participants' past and current use of targets varied. For all targets except those addressing unhealthy weight control practices, on average, participants had increasing levels of willingness to try targets. Among participants not currently using a target, at least some were willing to use every target again. Findings inform ways to personalize how users begin treatment. Furthermore, this study exemplifies how user-centered design can inform ways to ensure that digital interventions are designed to meet end-users' needs to improve engagement and clinical impact.

Association between exposure to interpersonal violence and social isolation, and the adoption of unhealthy weight control practices

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between interpersonal violence, social isolation and unhealthy weight control practices. MethodsData on a representative sample of 9th grade Brazilian adolescents from public and private schools (n = 102,072), taken from the National School Health Survey (PeNSE, 2015) were used. The exposures were interpersonal violence (family physical violence, body appearance-related bullying and bullying for the other reasons) and social isolation. The outcomes were unhealthy weight control practices: self-induced vomiting/take laxatives and take any diet pills, powders, or liquids to lose or gain weight/muscle mass without a medical advice. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were performed stratified by sex and adjusted for demographic variables. ResultsFamily physical violence and social isolation were associated with greater adoption of unhealthy weight control practices, for both sexes. Boy victims of family physical violence were almost twice more likely to adopt unhealthy weight control practices than girls who also suffered this type of violence. Girl victims of body appearance-related bullying adopted more self-induced vomiting/take laxatives (OR 2.29 95%CI 1.87–2.81), take any diet pills, powders, or liquids to lose (OR 1.92 95%CI 1.50–2.46) or gain weight/muscle mass (OR 1.51 95%CI 1.17–1.93). These associations were stronger than those involving other types of bullying. ConclusionInterpersonal violence (family physical violence and bullying) and social isolation were associated with a higher occurrence of unhealthy weight control practices.

Unhealthy eating and weight dissatisfaction in adolescents who never, occasionally, or regularly use smokeless tobacco (Swedish snus).

Although cigarette smoking has been linked to weight-related concerns and unhealthy weight control practices, little is known about weight dissatisfaction and eating among adolescents who use smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. The use of Swedish moist snuff (snus) has increased dramatically over recent years, surpassing cigarette smoking among young people in several countries. This study investigated differences in unhealthy eating behaviors and weight dissatisfaction in male and female adolescents who never, occasionally, or regularly use snus. Adolescents aged 16-19 years enrolled in high school (11th, 12th, and 13th grades) completed a cross-sectional, online survey of adolescent health and well-being. Meal skipping and snus use frequency were assessed in the total sample (N = 23,622), and items assessing weight dissatisfaction (n = 4,195) and eating-related pathology (n = 3,563) were administered to subsamples. Analyses were adjusted for cigarette smoking, parental education, and socioeconomic status. Adolescents who used snus, especially on a daily basis, reported less regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner consumption. Females who used snus on an occasional basis reported significantly more disturbed eating pathology. Snus use was associated with weight dissatisfaction in males and females, manifesting differentially according to gender and snus use frequency. Unhealthy eating behaviors and weight dissatisfaction were significantly elevated among snus users aged 16-19 years. An increased awareness that occasional snus use may signal disturbed eating pathology among adolescent females is important for detection and prevention efforts. Parents, schools, and health professionals should be vigilant for possible snus use among weight-dissatisfied adolescents.

The relationship between indoor tanning and body mass index, physical activity, or dietary practices: a systematic review.

A systemic review was conducted to better understand the relationship between indoor tanning and body mass index (BMI), physical activity, or dietary practices. Articles included in this review were obtained via a systematic search of PubMed following PRISMA guidelines. Available articles were published between September, 2003 and May, 2017 and contained data regarding indoor tanning and BMI, physical activity, or dietary practices. Sixteen publications met final inclusion criteria. Results of this review indicate significant positive associations between indoor tanning and high physical activity levels, playing sports, and both unhealthy and healthy diet and weight control practices. Frequent or dependent indoor tanning was associated with unhealthy dietary practices in most studies or risk for exercise addiction in one study. Results were mixed for BMI. This review demonstrates associations between indoor tanning and physical activity or dietary practices. Despite the use of some unhealthy strategies (e.g., indoor tanning, fasting, vomiting, laxative, or steroid use), common motives for these behaviors include a desire to appear attractive and/or healthy. Findings from this study can help inform future research and possible interventions for individuals engaging in relevant risky health behaviors.

Peer Victimization and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors-the Role of Intersecting Identities among New York City Youth.

We investigated the intersection of sexual minority, gender, and Hispanic identities, and their interaction with peer victimization in predicting unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCB) among New York City (NYC) youths. Using logistic regression with data from the 2011 NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, we examined the association of sexual identity, gender, ethnicity, and peer victimization (dating violence, bullying at school, electronic bullying) in predicting UWCB. Sexual minority youths, dating violence victims, and youths bullied at school had 1.97, 3.32, and 1.74 times higher odds of UWCB than their counterparts, respectively (P<0.001). The three-way interaction terms between (i) dating violence, gender, and sexual identity and (ii) electronic bullying, gender, and sexual identity were statistically significant. The effect of dating violence on unhealthy weight control practices was strongest among sexual minority males (OR=4.9), and the effect of electronic bullying on unhealthy weight control practices was strongest among non-sexual minority males (OR=2.9). Sexual minority and gender identities interact with peer victimization in predicting unhealthy weight control practices among NYC youths. To limit the prevalence and effect of dating violence and electronic bullying among youths, interventions should consider that an individual's experiences are based on multiple identities that can be linked to more than one ground of discrimination.

Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

BackgroundThe incidence of overweight is increasing amongst adolescents in many countries around the world. Healthy and unhealthy weight control practices are common amongst overweight and non-overweight adolescents.AimThe aim of this study was to explore factors influencing weight control practices amongst adolescent girls.SettingThe study was conducted at selected secondary schools of Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa.MethodsA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. Non-probability, purposive sampling was used to select adolescents who are practicing weight control. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 participants. Data were analysed according to Tesch’s open-coding method.ResultsThis study revealed that adolescent girls are influenced by a variety of factors to control their weights. These included individual factors, such as body image dissatisfaction; family factors, caused by parental criticism about adolescent weight; and environmental factors, which contain peer group endorsement of dieting.ConclusionAdolescents are exposed to many unhealthy weight control practices, as a way of controlling excess weight. So it is of importance for healthcare providers to make them aware of healthy practices.

Universal prevention efforts should address eating disorder pathology across the weight spectrum: Implications for screening and intervention on college campuses

PurposeGiven shared risk and maintaining factors between eating disorders and obesity, it may be important to include both eating disorder intervention and healthy weight management within a universal eating disorder care delivery program. This study evaluated differential eating disorder screening responses by initial weight status among university students, to assess eating disorder risk and pathology among individuals with overweight/obesity versus normal weight or underweight. Methods1529 individuals were screened and analyzed. Screening was conducted via pilot implementation of the Internet-based Healthy Body Image program on two university campuses. ResultsFifteen percent of the sample had overweight/obesity. Over half (58%) of individuals with overweight/obesity screened as high risk for an eating disorder or warranting clinical referral, and 58% of individuals with overweight/obesity endorsed a ≥10-pound weight change over the past year. Compared to individuals with normal weight or underweight, individuals with overweight/obesity were more likely to identify as Black, endorse objective binge eating and fasting, endorse that eating disorder-related concerns impaired their relationships/social life and made them feel badly, and endorse higher weight/shape concerns. ConclusionsResults suggest rates of eating disorder pathology and clinical impairment are highest among students with overweight/obesity, and targeted intervention across weight categories and diverse races/ethnicities is warranted within universal eating disorder intervention efforts. Integrating eating disorder intervention and healthy weight management into universal prevention programs could reduce the incidence and prevalence of eating disorders, unhealthy weight control practices, and obesity among university students.

Eating attitudes, attitudes related to weight gain, and body satisfaction of pregnant adolescents

To assess attitudes about eating, weight gain and body image of pregnant adolescents. Pregnant adolescents (n=67) were assessed using the Body Image Questionnaire, the Attitude towards Weight Gain during Pregnancy scale (AWGP) and questions about risk behaviors for eating disorders and unhealthy weight control practices. Associations between variables were analyzed by ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson and Spearman tests. The influence of the independent variables regarding skipping meals, body satisfaction and binge eating was evaluated by logistic regression. The average age of the adolescents was 15.3 years (SD=1.14) and their average gestational age was 21.9 weeks (SD=6.53). The average AWGP score was 52.6 points, indicating a positive attitude towards weight gain, and 82.1% of the pregnant girls were satisfied with their bodies. Obese girls had more body dissatisfaction (p=0.001), and overweight girls thought more about food (p=0.02) and eating (p=0.03). The frequency of reported binge eating was 41.8%, and the frequency of skipping meals was 19%. Regression analysis showed that the current Body Mass Index (p=0.03; OR=1.18) and the importance of body awareness and fitness before pregnancy (p=0.03; OR=4.63) were predictors of skipping meals. Higher socioeconomic level (p=0.04; OR=0.55) and greater concern with weight gain (p=0.03; OR=0.32) predicted binge eating. Even though the majority of the pregnant adolescents had positive attitudes toward weight gain and body satisfaction, those heavier and more concerned with weight gain had a higher risk of unhealthy attitudes, while those of lower social class, less concerned with weight gain and less embarrassed about their bodies during pregnancy, had a lower risk of unhealthy attitudes.

Unhealthy weight control practices: culprits and clinical recommendations.

Preoccupation with weight status and a desire to lose weight appears common. Many individuals seek “magic bullet” approaches to weight loss and waive the risks of using these products. In this paper, we review the challenges of weight maintenance, highlight some unhealthy weight control practices, and discuss the futility and potential danger of unregulated weight control agents. Novel clinical strategies are discussed that health care providers may use to triage patients with obesity in an attempt to make ethical and personalized treatment decisions.

Changes in eating attitudes, body esteem and weight control behaviours during adolescence in a South African cohort.

Failure to consume an adequate diet or over consumption during adolescence can disrupt normal growth and development, resulting in undesirable weight change. This leads to an increase in unhealthy weight control practices related to eating and exercise among both adolescent girls and boys to meet the societal ‘ideal’ body shape. This study therefore aims to examine the longitudinal changes in eating attitudes, body-esteem and weight control behaviours among adolescents between 13 and 17 years; and, to describe perceptions around body shape at age 17 years. A total of 1435 urban South African black and mixed ancestry boys and girls, who had data at both age 13 and 17 years from the Birth to Twenty cohort were included. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires on eating attitudes (EAT-26), body esteem and weight control behaviours for either weight loss or muscle gain attempts. Height and weight were measured at both time points and BMI was calculated. Black females had a higher BMI (p<0.001) and an increased risk of developing eating disorders as well as significant increase in the prevalence of weight loss practices between the ages 13 and 17 years. At age 17 years both Mixed ancestry adolescents had lower body-esteem compared to black adolescents. The prevalence of possible eating disorders was 11% and 13.1% in early and late adolescents respectively. Males and females shared similar opinions on normal silhouettes being the ‘best’, ‘getting respect’ and being the ‘happiest’, while the obese silhouette was associated with the ‘worst’ and the ‘unhappiest’, and the underweight silhouette with the “weakest”. Black females had a higher BMI and an increased risk of developing eating disorders. Adolescent females engaged more in weight loss practices whereas, males in muscle gain practices indicating that Western norms of thinness as the ideal are becoming more common in South Africa.

Peer victimization, caregiver restriction of food intake, and degree of overweight in youth.

Although caregiver restriction of child food intake is a common weight control strategy, factors that make a caregiver more likely to engage in restriction have not been fully explored. This study examined the relations between child weight, peer victimization, and restriction. Peer victimization was expected to serve as a mechanism through which child weight was associated with restriction. Two hundred fourteen youth (6-17 yr) were recruited from pediatric primary care clinics in the South. Youth reported their levels of peer victimization, and caregivers reported on their use of restriction of child food intake. Child height and weight were obtained from medical records. Ethnic minority adolescent females were more likely to be obese than nonethnic minority adolescents/children. Greater child body mass index (BMI)-z was associated with increased caregiver restriction (B = 0.86, p < .05) and peer victimization (B = 0.66, p < .05). When peer victimization was entered into the model of BMI-z predicting caregiver restriction of child food intake, the relationship between these 2 variables decreased from 74% to 46% and was no longer significant (B = 0.68, p = .08). However, the test of the indirect effect was not significant. Greater degree of overweight was associated with increased peer victimization, which in turn related to caregiver restriction of food intake. Children's social relationships may serve as an impetus for caregivers to engage in child weight control practices. Clinicians should regularly screen for weight-related peer difficulties and provide caregivers with guidance on healthy versus unhealthy weight control practices to promote overall child health.

Indoor Tanning Among High School Students in the United States, 2009 and 2011

Indoor tanning is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, and is particularly dangerous for younger and more frequent indoor tanners. To examine the prevalence of indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning (≥10 times during the 12 months before each survey) and their association with health-related behaviors. A cross-sectional study examined data from the 2009 and 2011 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, which used nationally representative samples of US high school students representing approximately 15.5 million students each survey year. The study included 25,861 students who answered the indoor tanning question. The prevalence of indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning were examined as well as their association with demographic characteristics and health-related behaviors using multivariable logistic regression modeling. The prevalence of indoor tanning was greater among female, older, and non-Hispanic white students. Indoor tanning was highest among female students aged 18 years or older, with 31.5% engaging in indoor tanning in 2011, and among non-Hispanic white female students, with 29.3% engaging in indoor tanning in 2011. Among female students, the adjusted prevalence of indoor tanning decreased from 26.4% in 2009 to 20.7% in 2011. Among female and male students, indoor tanning was associated with other risk-taking behaviors, such as binge drinking (P < .001 and P = .006, respectively), unhealthy weight control practices (P < .001, for both), and having sexual intercourse (P < .001, for both). Additionally, indoor tanning among female students was associated with using illegal drugs (P < .001) and having sexual intercourse with 4 or more persons (P = .03); use among male students was associated with taking steroids without a physician's prescription (P < .001), smoking cigarettes daily (P = .03), and attempting suicide (P = .006). More than half of respondents engaging in indoor tanning reported frequent use of the devices. Indoor tanning is common among high school students. Public health efforts are needed to change social norms regarding tanned skin and to increase awareness, knowledge, and behaviors related to indoor tanning. The clustering of risky behaviors suggests a need for coordinated, multifaceted approaches, including primary care physician counseling, to address such behaviors among adolescents.

Perception of weight status in children and adolescents: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005‐2010 (811.3)

Weight misperception in children and adolescents may lead to unhealthy or excessive weight control practices among overweight, underweight or normal weight individuals. Accurate self‐perception of weight status has been linked to appropriate weight control behaviors in youth.The objective of this study was to examine gender and racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of weight misperception among children and adolescents.We used data from 4355 children and adolescents aged 8‐15 years who participated in NHANES 2005‐2010. Accuracy of weight perception status was determined by comparing self‐reported weight status (overweight, about right and underweight) to actual weight status based on measured height and weight. The weight misperception prevalence was estimated and compared among age, gender and race/ethnic groups.Nearly, 29% of children and adolescents have misperception of their weight status. Weight misperception is more common among boys than girls and among children than adolescents. The prevalence of weight status misperception was lowest among non‐Hispanic white children and adolescents (26.5%) compared to non‐Hispanic black (33.4%) and Mexican‐American (33.3%) children and adolescents.Current estimates of weight perception status in children and adolescent may be useful in developing obesity prevention programs and in promoting healthy weight control behaviors.

Food-related parenting practices and child and adolescent weight and weight-related behaviors.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children has reached a concerning plateau in the past three decades, with overweight or obesity impacting approximately one-third of youth. Unhealthy weight-related behaviors, including dieting, unhealthy weight control practices and binge eating, are also a great public health concern for young people given both their high prevalence and harmful consequences. Food-related parenting practices, including food restriction and pressure-to-eat, have been associated with higher weight status, as well as the use of unhealthy weight-related behaviors, in children and adolescents. Physicians and other health care providers who work with families should discourage parents from using food restriction and pressure-to-eat parenting practices with their child or adolescent. Alternatively, parents should be empowered to promote healthy eating by focusing on making nutritious food items readily available within their home and modeling healthy food choices for their child or adolescent.