Weight control practices of U.S. adolescents and adults.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of various weight-loss practices in U.S. adolescents and adults.


METHODS
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a self-administered survey of a random sample of high school students in 1990 and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a random-digit dial survey in 1989.


METHODS
Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia.


METHODS
High school students (n = 11,467) and adults 18 years and older (n = 60,861).


RESULTS
Among high school students, 44% of female students and 15% of male students reported that they were trying to lose weight. An additional 26% of female students and 15% of male students reported that they were trying to keep from gaining more weight. Students reported that they had used the following weight control methods in the 7 days preceding the survey: exercise (51% of female students and 30% of male students); skipping meals (49% and 18%, respectively); taking diet pills (4% and 2%, respectively); and vomiting (3% and 1%, respectively). Among adults, 38% of women and 24% of men reported that they were trying to lose weight, whereas 28% of each sex reported that they were trying to maintain their weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Attempts to lose or maintain weight are very prevalent among both adolescents and adults, especially among females.
Serdula
M K
MK
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Collins
M E
ME
Williamson
D F
DF
Anda
R F
RF
Pamuk
E
E
Byers
T E
TE
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss