Participation in weight-related sports is associated with higher use of unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether adolescents who participate in a weight-related sport are at increased risk for unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use.


METHODS
This was a population-based study (Project EAT [Eating Among Teens]).


METHODS
Subjects were 4,746 adolescents (50.2% males, 49.8% females) from 31 public middle and high schools in the Minneapolis/St Paul area of Minnesota.


METHODS
Descriptive statistics, chi2 analyses, and multiple logistic regression were used. Data were adjusted for sociodemographic variables and body mass index.


METHODS
Unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use.


RESULTS
More males (20.4%) than females (16.2%) reported participation in a weight-related sport. Males who reported participation in a weight-related sport had an increased risk of past-week vomiting (odds ratio [OR]=5.7), laxative use (OR=6.8), as well as past-year vomiting (OR=4.9), laxative use (OR=3.4), diuretic use (OR=6.0), and steroid use (OR=3.7), compared with those males who did not report participation. Females who reported participation in a weight-related sport had an increased risk of past week vomiting (OR=2.1), as well as past year vomiting (OR=2.0), laxative use (OR=2.6), and steroid use (OR=2.6), compared with those who did not report participation in a weight-related sport.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study shows that participation in a sport that adolescents perceive as emphasizing weight is strongly associated with unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use. Preventive efforts, targeting parents, coaches, and adolescents are needed to decrease this risk.
Vertalino
Maggie
M
Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
Eisenberg
Marla E
ME
Story
Mary
M
Neumark-Sztainer
Dianne
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013177:Sports; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology*
D002400:Cathartics; D004232:Diuretics; D013256:Steroids