Covariations of adolescent weight-control, health-risk and health-promoting behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of dieting and investigate clusters of risk behaviors among adolescents.


METHODS
Data were secured from a random sample of adolescents (4,636) and analyzed using bivariate methods and logistic regression.


RESULTS
From the survey sample, 19.2% adolescents were classified as extreme, 43.2% as moderate dieters, 37.2% as nondieters. Extreme dieters were more likely to use alcohol, cigarettes, and/or marijuana and to attempt suicide and less likely to practice vigorous exercise. Moderate dieters were less likely to use cigarettes, marijuana and more likely to engage in vigorous exercise, with differences across gender-race categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Results have relevance for developing multicomponent programs for adolescents.
Rafiroiu
Codruta
C
Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Cleveland State University, Cleveland OH 44115, USA. a.rafiroiu@csuohio.edu
Sargent
Roger G
RG
Parra-Medina
Deborah
D
Drane
Wanzer J
WJ
Valois
Robert F
RF
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001741:Black or African American; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013022:South Carolina; D015431:Weight Loss; D044465:White People