Gender differences in determinants of weight-control behaviours among adolescents in Beirut.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between self-esteem, physical activity, engaging in risky behaviours, social and cultural capital, attitudes towards thinness, parental and personal characteristics with weight-control behaviours among adolescents in Beirut, Lebanon.


METHODS
A community-based cross-sectional study. A stratified cluster sampling design was used and information gathered by means of a questionnaire. Associations were investigated using multinomial logistic regression, accounting for the survey design. Odds ratios were calculated for trying to lose weight, or trying to gain weight, compared with no weight-control behaviour.


METHODS
The study was conducted in three underprivileged urban areas of Beirut in 2003.


METHODS
The sample size was 1294 adolescents aged 13-19 years.


RESULTS
Determinants of weight-control behaviour among girls included their attitudes towards thinness (OR(loss) = 4.29, OR(gain) = 0.38), dissatisfaction with weight (OR(loss) = 10.9, OR(gain) = 9.63), engaging in physical activity (OR(loss) = 2.22), smoking (OR(loss) approximately 3) and the mother working (OR(loss) = 2.77). Determinants of weight-control behaviour in boys included their attitudes towards thinness (OR(loss) = 14.7, OR(gain) = 0.35), dissatisfaction with weight (OR(loss) = 15.6, OR(gain) = 17.7), being involved in a cultural activity (OR(gain) = 2.51), engaging in a fight (OR(loss) = 5.25, OR(gain) = 1.64) and engaging in physical activity (OR(loss) = 2.56, OR(gain) = 2.17).


CONCLUSIONS
Attitudes towards thinness, weight dissatisfaction and physical activity are common determinants for weight-control among boys and girls, although to varying degrees of influence. Self-esteem, social capital, cultural capital and parental characteristics were not significant predictors when accounting for the other variables.
Kanaan
Mona N
MN
Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building (Area 3), University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK. mk546@york.ac.uk
Afifi
Rema A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult