Weight misperception and health risk behaviors among early adolescents

Keryn E. Pasch, Elizabeth G. Klein, Melissa N. Laska, Cayley E. Velazquez, Stacey G. Moe, Leslie A. Lytle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To examine associations between weight misperception and youth health risk and protective factors. Methods: Three thousand ten US seventh- graders (72.1% white, mean age: 12.7 years) self-reported height, weight, risk, and protective factors. Analyses were conducted to determine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between weight overestimation and health risk and protective factors. Results: Risk and protective factors had significant cross-sectional associations with weight overestimation. However, only depressive symptoms and reduced optimism predicted weight overestimation in eighth grade. Weight overestimation did not predict engagement in risky behaviors. Conclusions: Weight overestimation and risk factors appear to co-occur, suggesting a constellation of risk that warrants further research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)797-806
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican journal of health behavior
Volume35
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Risk and protective factors
  • Substance use
  • Weight perception

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