M. Kilpatrick et al., Adolescent weight management and perceptions: An analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, J SCH HEALT, 69(4), 1999, pp. 148-152
Researchers investigated contemporary weight management activities and weig
ht perceptions among adolescents and determined the effects of school healt
h education on these perceptions and activities. This national, random samp
le of more than 6,500 adolescents (grades 7-12) measured perceived weight,
weight change efforts, weight change activities, Body Mass Index, and healt
h education for weight management. Results indicate that most adolescents:
1) take parr in efforts to manage their weight, although manage struggle wi
th perceiving their weight: 2) engage in appropriate weight change efforts;
and 3) report receiving school health education that positively effects so
me aspects of their freight management behavior. Thus, adolescents are conc
erned about weight and perceptions of weight and are engaging in a variety
of weight change activities for weight maintenance and,weight change. Schoo
l health education appears to have some effect in improving adolescent heal
th behavior and discussion centers on this topic.