Obesity-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in obese and non-obeseurban Philadelphia female adolescents

Objectives: To examine relationships between knowledge, attitudinal and beh avioral factors, and obesity and to determine how these factors influence o besity status in west Philadelphia female adolescents. Research Methods and Procedures: A matched-pairs study was conducted with 3 2 stature- and age-matched pairs of obese (body mass index and triceps skin fold greater than or equal to 95th percentile of National Health and Nutrit ion Examination Survey I) and non-obese (body mass index and triceps skinfo ld between the 15th and 85th percentiles of National Health and Nutrition E xamination Survey I) female African American adolescents (aged 11 to 15 yea rs), selected from a school-based study sample, based on obesity status and matching criteria. Adolescents were compared on the following measures: ph ysical activity, inactivity, dietary intake, eating attitudes, health behav ior knowledge, body image, self-esteem, and maturation status. Differences between obese and non-obese females were tested using paired t tests and Wi lcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests. Results: Physical activity, inactivity, and perception of ideal body size e merged as the most important contributory factors to obesity status. There were no statistically significant matched-pair differences in macronutrient and micronutrient intakes, self-esteem, eating attitudes, health behavior knowledge, or maturation status of these adolescents. Obese adolescents had significantly lower levels of physical activity, higher inactivity, and a larger perception of ideal body size than non-obese adolescents. Discussion: Knowledge and attitudinal factors (with the exception of percep tion of ideal body size) had far less association with obesity than activit y-related behavioral factors. These findings suggest that future interventi on strategies should pay particular attention to physical activity, inactiv ity, and body image attitudes.