Far from ideal: weight perception, weight control, and associated risky behaviour of adolescent girls in Nova Scotia
- PMID: 17872719
- PMCID: PMC1952598
Far from ideal: weight perception, weight control, and associated risky behaviour of adolescent girls in Nova Scotia
Abstract
Objective: To examine the prevalence of weight-related concerns, unhealthy weight-control behaviour, and associated risky behaviour among adolescent girls, and to ascertain whether these girls had discussed a healthy weight with their physicians.
Design: Anonymous, self-report, cross-sectional survey.
Setting: Four high schools in rural Nova Scotia.
Participants: Adolescent girls in grades 10 to 12.
Main outcome measures: Weight perception, prevalence of weight-control behaviour, associations between weight perception and risky behaviour, associations between disordered eating behaviour and other risky behaviour.
Results: Overall response rate was 76%. Half the 1133 participants saw themselves as not being the "right" weight; 60% were trying to lose weight. During the past 30 days, 16% of the girls were attempting to control or lose weight and had engaged in disordered eating behaviour. In univariate analysis, perception of being either overweight or underweight was significantly associated with suicidal thoughts, suicide planning, and risk of depression. In multivariate analysis, positive associations were found between disordered eating behaviour and suicidal thoughts (odds ratio [OR] 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6 to 6.7), suicide planning (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.7), suicide attempts (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.6), and ever having had vaginal intercourse (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5). Only 22% of respondents had spoken with a doctor about a healthy weight.
Conclusion: Weight concerns are prevalent among adolescent girls in Nova Scotia. Many of them, especially those who see themselves as overweight or underweight, engage in unhealthy weight-control methods. Perceived underweight and overweight and disordered eating behaviour have strong associations with depression and self-harming behaviour. Few participants had discussed a healthy weight with a physician. Health professionals should be aware of the associations between weight perception and disordered eating behaviour and other risky behaviour.
OBJECTIF: Examiner la prévalence des préoccupations entourant le poids, les mesures pour contrôler le poids et d’autres comportements associés nuisibles pour la santé chez des adolescentes, et vérifier si ces jeunes femmes avaient discuté de leur poids santé avec leur médecin.
CONCEPTION: Étude transversale par sondage anonyme.
CONTEXTE: Quatre écoles secondaires dans des milieux ruraux, en Nouvelle-Écosse.
PARTICIPANTES: Adolescentes de la 10e à la12e années du secondaire.
PRINCIPALES MESURES DES RÉSULTATS: Perception de son poids, prévalence des mesures de contrôle du poids, associations entre la perception du poids et les comportements à risque, associations entre l’alimentation déséquilibrée et d’autres comportements à risque.
RÉSULTATS: Dans l’ensemble, le taux de réponse se situait à 76%. La moitié des 1 133 participantes estimaient ne pas peser le «bon» poids; 60% essayaient de maigrir. Au cours des 30 derniers jours, 16% des jeunes filles avaient essayé de contrôler ou de diminuer leur poids et avaient adopté des habitudes alimentaires mal équilibrées. Dans une analyse unidimensionnelle, la perception d’avoir un excès de poids ou d’être maigres était étroitement reliée à des pensées suicidaires, à des projets de suicide et à un risque de dépression. Dans une analyse multidimensionnelle, des associations positives ont été constatées entre l’alimentation déséquilibrée et les pensées suicidaires (rapport de cotes [RC] 4,2, intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95% 2,6 à 6,7), les projets de suicide (RC 2,9, IC à 95% 1,7 à 4.7), les tentatives de suicide (RC 3,4, IC à 95% 1,8 à 6,6), et le fait d’avoir déjà eu des relations sexuelles vaginales (RC 1,6, IC à 95% 1,1 à 2,5). Seulement 22% des répondantes avaient parlé de poids santé avec un médecin.
CONCLUSION: Les préoccupations entourant le poids sont fréquentes chez les adolescentes en Nouvelle-Écosse. Bon nombre d’entre elles, surtout celles qui se trouvent trop grosses ou trop maigres, adoptent des méthodes de contrôle du poids nuisibles pour leur santé. La perception de grosseur ou de maigreur et l’alimentation déséquilibrée sont fortement associées à la dépression et à des comportements autodestructeurs. Peu nombreuses étaient les participantes qui avaient discuté de poids santé avec un médecin. Les professionnels de la santé devraient être au fait des associations entre la perception du poids, l’alimentation mal équilibrée et d’autres comportements à risque.
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