| الوصف: |
Background: Weight control behaviours, particularly weight loss, are prevalent amongst adolescents of all body sizes. Methods of weight control encompass a broad range of actions, from exercising and eating more healthy foods to vomiting or starvation. There is limited research on weight-loss intentions and methods amongst adolescents in New Zealand and the relation to weight perception and body mass index (BMI). Objective: This study aims to investigate weight control intentions and behaviours amongst a sample of male and female adolescents in New Zealand by (a) determining the prevalence of weight loss methods, body image perception, and weight loss intentions of a sample of adolescents in New Zealand; (b) identifying the association between weight perception and weight loss intentions; and (c) establishing the association between BMI with weight perception, weight loss intentions and methods in New Zealand adolescents. Design: This is an observational cross-sectional study amongst 15-18-year-old New Zealand adolescents for the SuNDiAL (Survey of Nutrition, Dietary Assessment, and Lifestyles) project. Data collection occurred in two phases; February - November 2019 and February - May 2020. This study assessed methods of weight control through an online, self-administered questionnaire. Trained researchers collected anthropometric measures. Results: In a sample of 246 females and 124 males, nearly half of the females (48%) and 28% of the males were currently attempting to lose weight; 34% of these females were of a healthy weight. Conversely, 2% of females were trying to gain weight, compared with 27% of males. More females than males reported using unhealthy weight loss methods in the past year; skipping meals (40% vs 22% ), vomiting (3% vs 2%), eating very little food (39% vs 15%), or smoking cigarettes (8% vs 1%). Among the participants, females were more likely to perceive themselves as heavier than males. Conclusion: Intention to lose weight remains prevalent, and unhealthy weight loss methods are not ... |