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The Effects of Weight Perception on Adolescents’ Weight-Loss Intentions and Behaviors: Evidence from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey

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  • Maoyong Fan

    (Economics Department, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA)

  • Yanhong Jin

    (Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, 08901, New Jersey, USA)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between self-perception of being overweight and weight loss intentions, eating and exercise behaviors, as well as extreme weight-loss strategies for U.S. adolescents. This study uses 50,241 observations from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBSS) 2001–2009, which were nationally representative sample of 9th- through 12th-grade students in both public and private schools in the US. This study finds that, irrespective of the weight status base on self-reported weight and height, adolescents who perceive themselves as overweight have a stronger intention to lose weight, but do not develop better eating and exercise habits, compared with their counterparts of same gender and reported weight status. Normal-weight adolescents, if they perceive themselves as overweight, are more likely to engage in health-compromising weight-loss methods. This study shows that it is critical to transform weight-loss intentions into actual behaviors among overweight/obese adolescents and improve the efficacy of behavioral interventions against childhood obesity. It also highlights the need of establishing a correct perception of body weight among normal weight adolescents to curb extreme weight-loss methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Maoyong Fan & Yanhong Jin, 2015. "The Effects of Weight Perception on Adolescents’ Weight-Loss Intentions and Behaviors: Evidence from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-29, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:11:p:14640-14668:d:58953
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    1. Andrea L. Deierlein & Alomi Malkan & Jaqueline Litvak & Niyati Parekh, 2019. "Weight Perception, Weight Control Intentions, and Dietary Intakes among Adolescents Ages 10–15 Years in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Anda-Valentina Trandafir & Maria Fraseniuc & Lucia Maria Lotrean, 2022. "Assessment of Actual Weight, Perceived Weight and Desired Weight of Romanian School Children-Opinions and Practices of Children and Their Parents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Furong Xu & Steven A. Cohen & Mary L. Greaney & Geoffrey W. Greene, 2018. "The Association between US Adolescents’ Weight Status, Weight Perception, Weight Satisfaction, and Their Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, September.
    4. Rasa Jankauskiene & Migle Baceviciene & Simona Pajaujiene & Dana Badau, 2019. "Are Adolescent Body Image Concerns Associated with Health-Compromising Physical Activity Behaviours?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Francesco Napolitano & Francesco Bencivenga & Erika Pompili & Italo Francesco Angelillo, 2019. "Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors toward Eating Disorders among Adolescents in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-11, April.
    6. Rasa Jankauskiene & Migle Baceviciene, 2019. "Body Image Concerns and Body Weight Overestimation Do Not Promote Healthy Behaviour: Evidence from Adolescents in Lithuania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-14, March.

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