Naturalistic weight-reduction efforts prospectively predict growth in relative weight and onset of obesity among female adolescents.
This study examined the prospective relations of naturalistic weight-reduction efforts to growth in relative weight and onset of obesity with data from a community study of female adolescents (N = 692). Initial self-labeled dieting, appetite suppressant/laxative use, incidental exercise, vomiting for weight-control purposes, and binge eating predicted elevated growth in relative weight over the 4-year period. Dietary restraint, self-labeled dieting, exercise for weight-control purposes, and appetite suppressant/laxative use predicted an increased risk for obesity onset. Data imply that the weight-reduction efforts reported by adolescents are more likely to result in weight gain than in weight loss and suggest the need to educate youth on more effective weight-control strategies.
Stice
E
E
Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin 78712, USA. stice@psy.utexas.edu
Cameron
R P
RP
Killen
J D
JD
Hayward
C
C
Taylor
C B
CB
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D015431:Weight Loss