title: The relationships among body size, biological sex, ethnicity, and healthy lifestyles in adolescents.
abstract: PURPOSE. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine whether actual weight, biological sex, and race/ethnicity were related to differences of weight perception, nutrition and activity knowledge, perceived difficulty, attitudes, and choices about living a healthy lifestyle in adolescents; and (b) describe the relationships among these variables. DESIGN AND METHODS. This was a cross-sectional descriptive, correlational design with 404 adolescents. RESULTS. Perception of weight was more accurate in overweight adolescents. Teens who reported difficulty in leading a healthy lifestyle reported less healthy choices, attitudes, and knowledge. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Findings suggest tailored interventions should consider biological sex and race/ethnicity.
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Phoenix, USA. judith.ohaver@asu.edu
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Haver
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Szalacha
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Bernadette Mazurek
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Melnyk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States