The Association between US Adolescents’ Weight Status, Weight Perception, Weight Satisfaction, and Their Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors

Furong Xu, Steven A. Cohen, Mary L. Greaney and Geoffrey W. Greene
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Furong Xu: Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Independence Square II, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Steven A. Cohen: Health Studies Program, University of Rhode Island, Independence Square II, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Mary L. Greaney: Health Studies Program, University of Rhode Island, Independence Square II, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Geoffrey W. Greene: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Fogarty Hall, Kingston, RI 02881, USA

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Background : It remain unclear that the association between weight status, weight perception, weight satisfaction and the clustering of physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors in adolescents. Method : A cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Patterns Equivalents 2007–2014 data from adolescents aged 12–17 years ( n = 2965) was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics examined the association between weight status, weight perception, weight satisfaction, and the four created lifestyle groups (healthier behaviors, healthier diet only, physically active only, unhealthier behaviors). Results : Males with obesity were more likely to be in the healthier diet only group than males with a normal weight (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.52). Similar patterns were found in males who perceived themselves as being overweight or having obesity (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.99) and males with obesity who perceived their weight status accurately (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.88). Female respondents who were satisfied with their weight were 59% less likely to be in the healthier diet only group than healthier behaviors group compared with females who were weight dissatisfied (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.75). This pattern was not observed in males. Conclusions : Clustering PA and dietary behaviors were associated with weight status and weight perception for males but not females. Weight satisfaction was associated with clustered PA and dietary behaviors for females. These findings are important for obesity prevention policies and programs to better address adolescents’ obesity and reduce health disparities in this population.

Keywords: weight perception; weight satisfaction; physical activity; diet quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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