1.
Is ideal body image related to obesity and lifestyle behaviours in African American adolescents?
Chen, X, Wang, Y
Child: care, health and development. 2012;(2):219-28
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood obesity epidemic has become a public health issue in the USA, especially among African American youths. Research on the association between ideal body image (IBI) and obesity and related lifestyle factors among African American children and adolescents is limited. METHODS Data collected from 402 low-income African American adolescents aged 10-14 years in four Chicago public schools were used. Questionnaires were used to assess IBI, weight perception, weight control practices, and self-efficacy towards food and physical activity. Body mass index was calculated using measured weight and height. Associations between IBI and weight perception, overweight/obesity and lifestyle behaviours were assessed using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS The most frequently chosen ideal body size was the fourth of eight silhouettes (from thinnest to heaviest) for boys (55%) and girls (49%). Overweight and obese girls selected larger ideal body figures than the others (trend test: P < 0.001). Compared with those with middle ideal body figures, girls who selected smaller ones were twice as likely to have an unhealthy diet as indicated by less fruit and milk consumption; the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were 2.40 (1.15-5.02) for fruits intake ( CONCLUSIONS Ideal body image is associated with weight status, food self-efficacy and lifestyle behaviours among low-income African American adolescents.
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The influence of sexual maturation on blood pressure and body fatness in African-American adolescent girls and boys.
Chen, X, Wang, Y
American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council. 2009;(1):105-12
Abstract
To examine the influence of sexual maturation (SM) on blood pressure (BP) and body fatness during puberty among African-American children. Longitudinal data were collected from 283 African-American children aged 9-15 years over a 1.5-year period. Measured anthropometric measures included height, weight, skinfold thickness, waist circumference (WC), and systolic and diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) at baseline, 1-year, and 1.5-year follow-up were used. SM was assessed using self-reported Tanner stages (range 1-5) at baseline. Spearman correlation and regression analyses were conducted to test associations between study variables. Early maturing girls had higher BP and body mass index (BMI = weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) at follow-up than nonearly maturing girls (SBP: 117.4 vs. 111.7; DBP: 66.3 vs. 60.7; BMI: 27.7 vs. 23.5; all P < 0.05, respectively). Baseline Tanner stage was positively associated with follow-up SBP (r = 0.28), DBP (r = 0.37), BMI (r = 0.45), skinfold thickness (r = 0.37), and WC (r = 0.40) in girls, but not in boys. The influence of SM on BP independent of body size was tested via several different multiple linear regression models by adding measures of body size and their changes (height and BMI) between baseline and follow-up. Early maturing girls had higher SBP and DBP (beta = 4.30, P < 0.05; beta = 3.28, P < 0.05; respectively) and BMI (beta = 1.69, P < 0.05) at 1.5-year follow-up than their counterparts. In boys, a marginally significant reverse association (beta = -1.05 to -1.19) between SM stages and DBP was detected. SM affects BP and body fatness in girls, and should be considered in assessment of BP and obesity in adolescents.
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Measured body mass index, body weight perception, dissatisfaction and control practices in urban, low-income African American adolescents.
Wang, Y, Liang, H, Chen, X
BMC public health. 2009;:183
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current understanding of the associations between actual body weight status, weight perception, body dissatisfaction, and weight control practices among low-income urban African American adolescents is limited. The knowledge can help direct future intervention efforts. METHODS Cross-sectional data including measured weight and height and self-reported weight status collected from 448 adolescents in four Chicago Public Schools were used. RESULTS The prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI > or = 85th percentile) was 39.8%, but only 27.2% considered themselves as obese, although 43.4% reported trying to lose weight. Girls were more likely to express weight dissatisfaction than boys, especially those with BMI > or = 95th percentile (62.9% vs. 25.9%). BMI > or = 85th percentile girls were more likely to try to lose weight than boys (84.6% vs. 66.7%). Among all adolescents, 27.2% underestimated and 67.2% correctly judged their own weight status. Multinomial logistic models show that those with BMI > or = 85th percentile, self-perceived as obese, or expressed body dissatisfaction were more likely to try to lose weight; adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 4.52 (2.53-8.08), 18.04 (7.19-45.30), 4.12 (1.64-10.37), respectively. No significant differences were found in diet and physical activity between those trying to lose weight and those not trying, but boys who reported trying to lose weight still spent more television time (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Gender differences in weight perception, body dissatisfaction, and weight control practices exist among African American adolescents. One-third did not appropriately classify their weight status. Weight perception and body dissatisfaction are correlates of weight control practices. Adolescents attempting to lose weight need be empowered to make adequate desirable behavioral changes.