Weight Control Behaviors Research Articles

Realidad virtual para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de Trastornos de Conducta Alimentaria: una revisión sistemática

Introducción: Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) se caracterizan por un miedo intenso a ganar peso y conductas de control del mismo. Las personas con TCA manifiestan peor calidad de vida que la población general y el abordaje de sus complicaciones supone elevados costes socio-sanitarios. Materiales y métodos: Para comprobar la eficacia de la Realidad Virtual (RV) como he-rramienta de diagnóstico y/o soporte al tratamiento de TCA, se realizó una revisión sistemática de artículos publicados entre 2012 y 2018 en PubMed (MEDLINE). Resultados: Se seleccionaron 7 ar-tículos que emplearon la RV como tratamiento, 5 como soporte diagnóstico y 3 como ambas (N=15). Conclusiones: La RV demuestra ser efectiva para mitigar la ansiedad ante la exposición a alimentos, reducir conductas exageradas de control de peso, y facilitar el abordaje terapéutico del auto-concepto e imagen corporal. También demostró mayor eficacia frente al tratamiento conven-cional o como tratamiento de segundo nivel.

Yoga practice among ethnically/racially diverse emerging adults: Associations with body image, mindful and disordered eating, and muscle-enhancing behaviors.

This study explores cross-sectional associations between yoga and body image, mindful eating, disordered eating, and muscle-enhancing behaviors among a population-based sample of ethnically/racially diverse emerging adults. An ethnically/racially diverse population-based sample of 1,568 emerging adults (18-26 years) completed surveys as part of EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time). Models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI). Practicing yoga at least 30 min/week was reported by 12.7% (n = 210) of the sample. Yoga practitioners had higher levels of mindful eating than those not practicing yoga. Although effect sizes were small, yoga practitioners were more likely than non-yoga practitioners to use steroids (3.8 vs. 0.7%, p < .001, h = 0.22) or protein powder/shakes (35.1 vs. 25.3%, p < .010, h = 0.21) to increase their muscle size/tone. Body satisfaction, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and binge eating tended to be similar among yoga practitioners and non-yoga practitioners. There was a significant interaction between BMI and yoga in predicting body satisfaction with a trend toward a positive impact among yoga practitioners at higher BMI values. Interactions between yoga practice and all body image attitudes and behaviors across gender and ethnicity/race were not statistically significant. Young people from diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds who practice yoga are more likely to engage in mindful eating but have equal or elevated levels of unhealthy body image attitudes and behaviors as compared to non-yoga practitioners. Further research should explore how yoga is best taught and practiced to ensure that it is beneficial for body image and related behaviors.

Associations between adverse childhood experiences and weight, weight control behaviors and quality of life in Veterans seeking weight management services

IntroductionA neglected area of trauma research with Veterans is the study of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of ACEs, and to explore relationships between ACEs and measures of weight, eating behaviors and quality of life in weight loss seeking Veterans. MethodsParticipants were 191 Veterans [mean age 58.9 (SD = 12.8), mean Body Mass Index (BMI) 35.4 (SD = 6.1), 86.9% male, 33.7% racial/ethnic minority] receiving care at VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VA CT) who attended an orientation session of VA's behavioral weight management program. Participants completed a measure of ACEs and measures related to weight, eating and health. ResultsAmong completers, 68.6% endorsed at least one ACE. The average number of reported ACEs was 2.2 (SD = 2.5), with 48.7% of Veterans reporting more than one type of ACE. Women were more likely to report any ACE (88.0% vs. 65.6%, p = .025) and reported significantly more ACEs compared to males (4.2 vs. 1.9, p < .001). ACEs were associated with lower physical activity (p = .05), lower quality of life (p's < 0.05), and lower weight-related quality of life (p < .01), but not weight, weight control strategies, binge eating, or alcohol use. ConclusionACEs are common among weight loss seeking Veterans, particularly among female Veterans. Findings suggest that there is a high rate of ACEs in Veterans, which are associated with exercise and quality of life outcomes, but not diet and weight outcomes.

Changes in the Prevalence and Correlates of Weight-Control Behaviors and Weight Perception in Adolescents in the UK, 1986-2015

In the context of the growing prevalence of childhood obesity, behaviors aimed at weight loss and their psychological burden might be increasing. To investigate whether the prevalence of weight-control behaviors and weight perception, including their association with depressive symptoms, has changed in the 3 decades between 1986 and 2015. This study used data from repeated cross-sections from successive longitudinal birth cohort studies. These included general population samples of UK adolescents aged 14 to 16 years from 3 ongoing birth cohorts: the British Cohort Study 1970 (children born between April 5 and 11, 1970; data collected in 1986), the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (mothers with expected delivery between April 1, 1991, and December 21, 1992; data collected in 2005), and the Millennium Cohort Study (children born between September 1, 2000, and January 11, 2002; data collected in 2015). A total of 22 503 adolescents with data available on at least 1 weight-control or weight-perception variable in midadolescence were included in the study. Data were analyzed from August 1, 2019, to January 15, 2020. Self-reported lifetime dieting and exercise for weight loss, current intentions about weight (doing nothing, lose weight, stay the same, gain weight), and weight perception (underweight, about the right weight, overweight) adjusted for body mass index. The secondary outcome was depressive symptoms. The main exposure was time (ie, cohort); secondary exposures were weight-change behaviors and weight perception. The study cohort included 22 503 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 14.8 [0.3] years; 12 061 girls [53.6%]; and 19 942 White individuals [89.9%]). A total of 5878 participants were from the British Cohort Study, 5832 were from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, and 10 793 were from the Millennium Cohort Study. In 2015, 4809 participants (44.4%) had dieted and 6514 (60.5%) had exercised to lose weight compared with 1952 (37.7%) and 344 (6.8%) in 1986. Furthermore, 4539 (42.2%) were trying to lose weight in 2015 compared with 1767 (28.6%) in 2005. Although girls were more likely to report these behaviors in all years, their prevalence increased more in boys over time (lifetime dieting in boys: odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.24-2.59; in girls: OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.91-1.66; currently trying to lose weight in boys: OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 2.38-3.19; in girls: OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.50-1.92). Adolescents also became more likely to overestimate their weight (boys describing themselves as overweight adjusting for body mass index, 2005 vs 1985 OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.17-2.19; 2015 vs 1985 OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.04-1.80; girls describing themselves as underweight, after adjusting for body mass index, 2015 vs 1986 OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28-0.91). Girls who described themselves as overweight experienced increasingly greater depressive symptoms over time compared to girls who described their weight as about right (mean difference 1986, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.41; mean difference 2005, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.24-0.42; mean difference 2015, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.49-0.62). These findings suggest that the growing focus on obesity prevention might have had unintended consequences related to weight-control behaviors and poor mental health. Public health campaigns addressing obesity should include prevention of disordered eating behaviors and be sensitive to negative impact on mental health.

Effect of School-Based Body Mass Index Reporting in California Public Schools

Annually, US schools screen millions of students' body mass index (BMI) and report the results to parents, with little experimental evidence on potential benefits and harms. To determine the impact of school-based BMI reporting on weight status and adverse outcomes (weight stigmatization and weight-related perceptions and behaviors) among a diverse student population. Cluster randomized clinical trial. The Fit Study (2014-2017) randomized 79 California schools to BMI screening and reporting (group 1), BMI screening only (group 2), or control (no BMI screening or reporting [group 3]) in grades 3 to 8. The setting was California elementary and middle schools. Students in grades 3 to 7 at baseline participated for up to 3 years. A modified intent-to-treat protocol was used. Data analysis was conducted from April 13, 2017, to March 26, 2020. School staff assessed BMI each spring among students in groups 1 and 2. Parents of students in group 1 were sent a BMI report each fall for up to 2 years. Changes in BMI z score and in adverse outcomes (based on surveys conducted each fall among students in grades 4 to 8) from baseline to 1 and 2 years of follow-up. A total of 28 641 students (14 645 [51.1%] male) in grades 3 to 7 at baseline participated in the study for up to 3 years. Among 6534 of 16 622 students with a baseline BMI in the 85th percentile or higher (39.3%), BMI reporting had no effect on BMI z score change (-0.003; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.01 at 1 year and 0.01; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.03 at 2 years). Weight dissatisfaction increased more among students having BMI screened at school (8694 students in groups 1 and 2) than among control participants (5674 students in group 3). Results of the effect of BMI reporting on other adverse outcomes were mixed: compared with the control (group 3), among students weighed at school (groups 1 and 2), weight satisfaction declined more after 2 years (-0.11; 95% CI, -0.18 to -0.05), and peer weight talk increased more after 1 year (0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.09); however, concerning weight control behaviors declined more after 1 year (-0.06; 95% CI, -0.10 to -0.02). Body mass index reports alone do not improve children's weight status and may decrease weight satisfaction. To improve student health, schools should consider investing resources in evidence-based interventions. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02088086.

Social Support and Connectedness as Predictors of Weight Control Behaviors in Online Communications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of social support and social connectedness for five weight control behaviors among overweight/obese adults (N=118) participating in an online weightloss community. The five weight control behaviors investigated were physical activity, screen time, and the consumption of sugar-free drinks, sugar-sweetened drinks, and fruits and vegetables. Step-wise multiple regression was used to predict each weight control behavior with constructs of social support and social connectedness. Social support was highly predictive of all behaviors under investigation. Furthermore, interactions within the community (active or passive users) were significant for two behaviors (screen time and fruit and vegetable consumption), and number of minutes engaged in the community per week was significant for fruit and vegetable consumption only. These results suggest that promoting social support is likely the most important feature for online weight loss communities.

Role of childhood maltreatment on weight and weight-related behaviors in adulthood.

This study investigated associations between child maltreatment and body mass, body weight perceptions, and weight control behaviors among men and women. Data were derived from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate links between dimensions of childhood maltreatment and adult (a) classifications of body mass index (BMI), (b) discrepancies in perceived weight and actual BMI categories, and (c) normative and risky weight control behaviors. Childhood maltreatment was highly predictive of BMI classification, weight perception discrepancies, and weight control behaviors for women. Women who reported physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect had increased risks for being slightly or very overweight, and among those who reported physical abuse and/or a combination of physical abuse and neglect, there is an increased likelihood of holding overweight perceptions. Finally, female victims of physical abuse, physical abuse and neglect, and of neglect only were more likely to adopt risky (e.g., diet pills or purging) versus normative (e.g., diet and exercise) weight control behaviors. Results indicated that women who reported childhood maltreatment have increased risks for developing body and weight related issues, confirming research documenting female-specific effects of childhood maltreatment. For women, certain forms of maltreatment strongly predicted BMI groupings, discrepant weight perceptions, and risky weight behaviors. Taken together, findings suggest that child maltreatment is a predictor of health-related outcomes. Moreover, results highlight the importance of assessing gender-specific effects when examining outcomes related to body, weight, and dieting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The Decisional Balance Toward Health Behaviors Among Patients With Hypertension.

The decisional balance is related to the transtheoretical model, and involves weighting the pros and cons of performing a behavior. The study aimed to assess hypertensive patients' decisional balances about smoking, weight control, and physical exercise. A cross-section descriptive correlation design was used, and 110 patients were recruited using convenience sampling in outpatient clinics. The decisional balance was measured using "Decisional Balance Scales," which assess an individual's decisional balance related to smoking, weight control, and physical exercise behaviors. The results predicted that Jordanian hypertensive patients with higher physical exercise decisional balance and higher weight decisional balance had lower smoking decisional behaviors. Nurses can foster health promotion and behavioral change by employing interventions that improve decisional balances. Improving the decisional balance of one behavior would have a positive impact on other behaviors. Thus, designing multidimensional interventions might be effective for modifying different types of health behaviors, and fostering health promotion practices.

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.

Gender Expression, Peer Victimization, and Disordered Weight-Control Behaviors Among U.S. High School Students

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the association between gender expression, peer victimization, and disordered weight-control behaviors (DWCBs) in four population-based samples of U.S. high school students. MethodsAnalyses include data from 5,488 U.S. high school students from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys in four jurisdictions (Broward County, FL; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA). Participants were 56% Hispanic/Latino, 21% black/African American, and 14% white. Two items asked about perceived gender expression; responses were classified into three groups: highly gender conforming (e.g., very masculine boys), moderately gender conforming, gender nonconforming (e.g., feminine boys). Sex-stratified multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between gender expression, peer victimization, and DWCBs in previous month (fasting, using diet pills/liquids/powders, and purging [vomiting or using laxatives]), controlling for potential confounders. ResultsOverall, 12% of respondents reported fasting, 6% reported diet pill use, and 5% reported purging, with significantly higher prevalence among gender nonconforming than among gender conforming male students (p < .001). In adjusted models, gender nonconforming male students had greater odds of fasting (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 3.0 [2.0–4.7]), diet pill use (6.1 [3.7–9.9]), and purging (7.2 [3.6–14.8]), relative to moderately conforming males. No significant associations were found among female students. Adding peer victimization to models modestly attenuated the association between gender nonconformity and DWCBs for male students. ConclusionsIn probability samples of U.S. high school students, we observed marked differences by gender expression in DWCBs among male students but not among female students. Gender expression-related stigma should be addressed within clinical and school-based interventions to prevent DWCBs.

Impact of Strategies for Preventing Obesity and Risk Factors for Eating Disorders among Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

An effective behavior change program is the first line of prevention for youth obesity. However, effectiveness in prevention of adolescent obesity requires several approaches, with special attention paid to disordered eating behaviors and psychological support, among other environmental factors. The aim of this systematic review is to compare the impact of two types of obesity prevention programs, inclusive of behavior change components, on weight outcomes. “Energy-balance” studies are aimed at reducing calories from high-energy sources and increasing physical activity (PA) levels, while “shared risk factors for obesity and eating disorders” focus on reducing disordered eating behaviors to promote a positive food and eating relationship. A systematic search of ProQuest, PubMed, PsycInfo, SciELO, and Web of Science identified 8825 articles. Thirty-five studies were included in the review, of which 20 regarded “energy-balance” and 15 “shared risk factors for obesity and eating disorders”. “Energy-balance” studies were unable to support maintenance weight status, diet, and PA. “Shared risk factors for obesity and eating disorders” programs also did not result in significant differences in weight status over time. However, the majority of “shared risk factors for obesity and eating disorders” studies demonstrated reduced body dissatisfaction, dieting, and weight-control behaviors. Research is needed to examine how a shared risk factor approach can address both obesity and eating disorders.

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.

Body image and weight-control behaviors among adolescent girls with low-mid socioeconomic background

This study was aimed to describe the body image and weight-control behavior among adolescent girls with low-mid socioeconomic background. A cross-sectional study with 148 adolescent girls from low-rank public senior high school were conducted. Figure Rating Scale was used to measure body image, and a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to collect information on weight-control behavior. Data then analyzed descriptively. It was found that 56.1% of the respondents have negative body image, in which 35.8% of respondents desired to have a smaller body, and 20.3% of respondents desired to have a heavier body. The majority of respondents were ever tried to lose and avoid weight gain (50%) or gain and avoid weight loss (23.0%). The most frequent healthy weight loose behavior performed by respondents were exercised and ate more fruits and vegetables. Moreover, the most frequent unhealthy weight loos behavior has skipped the meal and ate little food. In addition, some of the respondents were tried to gain weight by changing eating patterns, physical activity, and use supplementation. Body dissatisfaction is prominent among adolescent girls with low-mid socioeconomic background. The form of dissatisfaction is not limited to the desire to be thinner but also the desire to look heavier. Further intervention is needed to build positive body image and promote healthy eating behavior among adolescent girls from the low-mid socioeconomic background.

Weight suppression increases odds for future onset of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and purging disorder, but not binge eating disorder

Eating disorders affect 13% of females and contribute to functional impairment and mortality, but few studies have identified risk factors that prospectively correlate with future onset of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and purging disorder (PD). Identifying risk factors specific to each eating disorder is critical for advancing etiologic knowledge and designing effective prevention programs. This study examined whether weight suppression (the difference between a person's highest past weight at their adult height and their current weight) correlates with future onset of AN, BN, BED, and PD. Data from 1165 young women with body image concerns (mean±SD age: 21.9±6.4 y) who completed annual diagnostic interviews over a 3-y follow-up period were examined. Logistic regression models evaluated the relation of baseline weight suppression to onset risk of each eating disorder controlling for age, dietary restraint, and intervention condition. Elevated weight suppression predicted future onset of AN (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.80), BN (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.62), PD (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.74), and any eating disorder (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.56), but not BED (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.37). Highest past weight correlated with future onset of BN and PD but not onset of AN, BED, or any eating disorder, and baseline current weight was inversely related to future AN onset only, implying that women with the largest difference between their highest past weight and current weight are at greatest risk of eating disorders. The results provide novel evidence that weight suppression correlates with future onset of eating disorders characterized by dietary restriction or compensatory weight control behaviors and suggest weight-suppressed women constitute an important risk group to target with selective prevention programs.These trials were registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01126918 and NCT01949649.

The Prospective Association of Internalized Sexual Prejudice during Adolescence with Binge Drinking, Smoking, and Disordered Weight Control Behaviors in Adulthood

Prior research shows the importance of internalized sexual prejudice and participation in health indicators for sexual minority people, yet no research has used prospective measures or differentiated sexual minority groups. Data come from the longitudinal cohort study Growing Up Today Study 1 (N = 6,606), limited to participants who provided information on internalized sexual prejudice in adolescence and health indicators in adulthood. Completely heterosexual women with same-sex partners and mostly heterosexual women who reported high internalized sexual prejudice during their adolescence were more likely to binge drink during adulthood than completely heterosexual women with no same-sex partners. Similar patterns existed for mostly heterosexual and lesbian women when predicting smoking. Sexual orientation-related disparities in binge drinking smoking were largest for women with high internalized sexual prejudice who identify as completely heterosexual women with same-sex partners and mostly heterosexual women–groups that may have lower levels of connectedness to the buffering effects of sexual minority communities.