Weight management goals and use of exercise for weight control among U.S. high school students, 1991-2001.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine trends in weight management goals and the use of exercise for weight control among U.S. high school students.


METHODS
As part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 6 national school-based surveys were conducted between 1991 and 2001. Each survey used a three-stage cross-sectional sample of students in grades 9-12. African-American and Hispanic students were oversampled. Logistic regression models were used to test for trends among gender and race/ethnic subgroups, controlling demographic changes over time.


RESULTS
From 1991 to 2001, the percentage of female students trying to lose weight (61.7%-62.3%) or stay the same weight (15.4%-16.0%) did not change significantly. Among male students, trying to lose weight (22.7%-28.8%) and trying to stay the same weight (17.8%-21.5%) both increased significantly, while trying to gain weight decreased significantly (32.7%-26.3%). Among female and male students who were trying to lose weight or stay the same weight, the use of exercise for weight control increased significantly. Among students who reported using exercise for weight control, participation in vigorous physical activity > or = 3 days per week increased among African-American female students, and participation in strengthening exercises > or = 3 days per week increased among male students.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest increased interest in weight control among male adolescents, and increased use of exercise for weight control among female and male adolescents.
Lowry
Richard
R
Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Bufford Hwy, N.E, Mailstop K-33, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Rlowry@cdc.gov
Galuska
Deborah A
DA
Fulton
Janet E
JE
Burgeson
Charlene R
CR
Kann
Laura
L
D000293:Adolescent; D044383:Black People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss; D001741:Black or African American