Body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight-control practices among adolescents with and without chronic illness: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight-loss practices among adolescents with and without chronic illness.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 2149 adolescent boys and girls with diabetes, asthma, attention deficit disorder, physical disabilities, or seizure disorders; and a comparison group of 1381 adolescents without chronic illness.


METHODS
Body concerns, binge eating, frequent dieting, vomiting, and laxative or diuretic use among adolescents.


RESULTS
Adolescents with chronic illness reported higher body dissatisfaction and engaged in more high-risk weight-loss practices than adolescents without chronic illness. This trend was consistent across the different conditions and was not limited to those with a nutrition-related condition such as diabetes. The trend remained after conducting logistic regression and controlling for age, race, socioeconomic status, and body mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents with chronic illness are at high risk for engaging in unhealthy weight-loss practices and should be screened and targeted for prevention and treatment.
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires