Ethnic/racial differences in weight-related concerns and behaviors among adolescent girls and boys: findings from Project EAT.
OBJECTIVE
To compare weight-related concerns and behaviors across ethnicity/race among a population-based sample of adolescent boys and girls.


METHODS
The study population included 4746 adolescents from urban public schools in the state of Minnesota who completed surveys and anthropometric measurements as part of Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a population-based study focusing on eating patterns and weight concerns among teenagers. Main outcome measures included measured body mass index (BMI), weight-related concerns (perceived weight status, weight disparity, body satisfaction and attitudes about weight control) and weight-related behaviors (general/specific weight control behaviors and binge eating).


RESULTS
In comparison to White girls, African American girls tended to report fewer weight-related concerns/behaviors, while Hispanic, Asian American and Native American girls tended to report similar or more concerns/behaviors. Among boys, weight-related concerns/behaviors were equally or more prevalent among all non-Whites than among Whites. In particular, African American and Asian American boys were at greater risk for potentially harmful weight-related concerns/behaviors than White boys.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight-related concerns and behaviors are prevalent among adolescents, regardless of their ethnic/racial background, indicating a need for prevention and treatment efforts that reach adolescents of different ethnic backgrounds. However, ethnic differences demonstrate a need for ensuring that the specific needs of different groups are addressed in the development of such interventions.
Neumark-Sztainer
Dianne
D
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. neumark@epi.umn.edu
Croll
Jillian
J
Story
Mary
M
Hannan
Peter J
PJ
French
Simone A
SA
Perry
Cheryl
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*