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Perception, intention, and action in adolescent obesity
Heather Bittner Fagan1, James Diamond, Ronald Myers
1Health Services Research, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, USA. hbittner-fagan@christianacare.org
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM
|November 8, 2008
Summary
Overweight and obese adolescents are actively trying to lose weight, with a strong link between intending to lose weight and taking action. Overweight adolescents showed slightly less engagement than obese peers.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding weight-loss behaviors in adolescents is crucial.
- Overweight and obesity are significant health concerns in youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine weight-loss behaviors among overweight and obese adolescents.
- To identify factors associated with weight-loss actions in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Utilized survey data from the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS) in Delaware.
- Analyzed data from 482 overweight and 398 obese adolescents.
- Employed cross-tabulations and multivariable analysis.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of overweight (79%) and obese (83%) adolescents reported recent weight-loss actions.
- Most obese (75%) and overweight (65%) adolescents intended to lose weight.
- A strong association exists between intention to lose weight and recent action (ORs 11.6 and 6.6).
Conclusions:
- Overweight and obese adolescents demonstrate significant engagement in weight-related behavior change.
- Overweight adolescents appear less engaged in weight change compared to obese peers.
- The strong intention-action link highlights motivation for weight management in these adolescents.
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