Are adolescents harmed when asked risky weight control behavior and attitude questions? Implications for consent procedures.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores whether asking minors about risky weight control behaviors and attitudes increases the frequency of those behaviors and attitudes.


METHODS
Participants were 115 sixth-grade girls who responded to questions on risky weight control behaviors and attitudes at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. An additional 107 girls, who had not been part of the baseline, provided data only at follow-up. The two groups were compared on risky weight control behaviors and attitudes at follow-up using chi-square analyses, Mann-Whitney U tests, Cohen's effect sizes, and odds ratios.


RESULTS
No evidence of a negative effect in the twice-assessed group was found. All rates decreased from baseline to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
There is only minimal risk and perhaps even some benefit of asking questions about risky weight control behaviors and attitudes. Implications for determining appropriate consent procedures are discussed.
Celio
Angela A
AA
San Diego State University, University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, USA. btaylor@stanford.edu
Bryson
Susan
S
Killen
Joel D
JD
Taylor
C Barr
CB
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000209:etiology; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D033282:Parental Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010552:Personality Assessment; D019724:Presumed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012650:Self Disclosure