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Body Dissatisfaction and Health Risk Behaviors Among Middle School Girls
Kelly Perniciaro1, Michele J Moore2, Robert J Zeglin3
1Child Guidance Center, 7556 St Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32207.
The Journal of School Health
|January 30, 2024
Summary
Young adolescent girls attempting to lose weight are more likely to report substance use and suicidal thoughts. Early prevention education and school counselor support are crucial for addressing these risks.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent health
- Psychology
- Public health
Background:
- Previous research links body dissatisfaction to substance use and suicidal ideation in older adolescent girls and young women.
- Limited research exists on these associations in early adolescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between weight loss attempts, substance use history, and suicidal thoughts in younger female adolescents.
- To investigate risk factors for substance use and suicidality in middle school girls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 1656 middle school female students from the 2019 Youth Behaviors Risk Survey.
- Employed hierarchical multiple binary logistic regressions to analyze the association between weight loss attempts and substance use/suicidality.
Main Results:
- 57% of participants reported trying to lose weight.
- Trying to lose weight was a significant predictor for both substance use (p < .01) and suicidality (p < .001).
- 40% reported suicidal thoughts and 45% reported substance use history.
Conclusions:
- Body dissatisfaction is linked to risky health behaviors in young adolescents.
- Highlights the need for early prevention education and increased availability of school counselors.
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