The present study examined adolescents' actual and perceived weights in relation to why adolescents think they weigh what they do, where adolescents obtain weight control information, and adolescents' weight locus of control. The study was conducted in a Midwestern high school, based on information obtaind from 194 freshmen. Thirty percent of the adolescents perceived their weight category inaccurately when compared to their actual weight and height. One-third of those who were thin, one-half of those who were normal weight, and two-thirds of those who were heavy had been exercising during the past six months to control or lose weight. Six percent of the thin, 41% of the normal weight, and 56% of the heavy students had dieted within the past six months to control or lose weight. The leading sources of weight control information were television, family, friends, and magazines. Teachers were identified as sources of information by less than 10% of the students. Mother, family, and friends were identified as those most helpful in adolescents' attempts to lose weight. Significant chi-square differences were found between weight locus of control orientations and actual and perceived weight categories. Finally, a multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze adolescents' perceptions of weighing what they do. Eat too much vs too little and exercise too much vs too little were the two reasons identified that were statistically significant. The information obtained from this study may be useful in designing and implementing weight control and nutritional programs for adolescents. For many of the adolescents, their perceptions were different from reality.

A questionnaire relating to smoking behavior was developed and administered to 3,786 college students who were attending introductory personal health classes at selected colleges in the state of Oregon during the 1963-64 school year. Analysis of the data was not completed until 1987 (twenty-three years later) at which time the data cards were discovered in storage. During the 1986-87 school year a modified questionnaire was developed and administered to 863 college students attending introductory personal health classes at three of the same four universities that were utilized in the 1963-64 study. The study addressed the smoking behavior of an often neglected population of older adolescents and younger adults over a time period of twenty-three years. Stepwise logistic regression equations were used to determine the set of variables that best accounted for smoking status in 1963-64 and 1986-87. Results indicated that the variables that increased the probability of an individual smoking in 1963-64 did not increase the probability of an individual smoking in 1986-87. The characteristics and behaviors of family members have significantly less influence on the smoking behavior of adolescents and young adults today when compared to adolescents and young adults in 1963-64.

A questionnaire relating to cigarette smoking behavior and use of other substances was administered to 863 college students in the state of Oregon. Results indicated that there was not a significant difference between cigarette smokers and non-smokers with regard to use of smokeless tobacco, alcohol consumption, or marijuana use. There was, however, a significant difference in the use of other illicit substances when comparing cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Cigarette smokers were much more likely to use illicit substances on an occasional or regular basis than were non-smokers. Smokeless tobacco users who indicated that they consumed alcohol and used marijuana and other illicit substances were more likely to consume more alcohol on a weekly basis than non-users. They were also more likely to use marijuana and other illicit substances on an occasional and regular basis.