Adolescent weight management and perceptions: An analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

Citation
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
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science
Journal title
JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH
ISSN journal
00224391 → ACNP
Volume
69
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
148 - 152
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-4391(199904)69:4<148:AWMAPA>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
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.