Weight concerns among adolescent boys

Abstract

Objective: To investigate weight concerns among adolescent boys and relationships with health indicators and family factors. Design: Analysis of the 2010 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey of 10-17-year-olds. Setting: Schools in the Republic of Ireland. Results: Among 6187 boys, 25·1 % reported a desire to lose weight (weight 'loss' concern) and 7·7 % reported a desire to gain weight (weight 'gain' concern). Both types of weight concerns were associated with poor self-rated health, life satisfaction and happiness, and with more frequent emotional and physical symptoms. Family factors were associated with boys' weight concerns. In adjusted analyses, the risk of weight 'loss' concerns decreased with daily family breakfasts (OR = 0·80; 95 % CI 0·66, 0·97). The risk of weight 'gain' concerns decreased with frequent family evening meals (OR = 0·77; 95 % CI 0·60, 0·99). Ease of communication with mother was associated with a decreased risk of weight 'loss' and weight 'gain' concerns among boys (OR = 0·74; 95 % CI 0·60, 0·90 and OR = 0·61; 95 % CI 0·44, 0·82, respectively). An open father-son relationship and having a father present in the home decreased the risk of weight 'loss' concerns (OR = 0·69; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·82 and OR = 0·81; 95 % CI 0·67, 0·98, respectively). Conclusions: Body weight concerns were reported by a sizeable minority of boys and were associated with negative health outcomes. The findings support the need to promote frequent family meals and facilitate open communication in families.

Identifying Differences in Nutrition‐Related Learning Interests of Adolescent Students

“…Overall, most adolescents were interested in learning about more than half of the 16 topics listed. Notably, the 3 topics with the highest percentage of interest related to diet and health included, “eating the right foods for preventing illness and disease,” “keeping a healthy weight and preventing disease,” and “eating the right foods for keeping a healthy weight.” This finding is supported by other studies suggesting that adolescents are concerned about food issues relating to their weight, and overall health and wellbeing 20,36‐38 . In the context of this WA‐based study, knowing about the Australian “dietary guidelines” and knowing “which food is healthy or unhealthy and the reasons why” was recognized as important 7,20 .…”

Boys, Bulk, and Body Ideals: Sex Differences in Weight-Gain Attempts Among Adolescents in the United States

“…18 Our nationally representative estimate of 30% of adolescent boys attempting to gain weight is similar to a previously reported US estimate 11 but higher than an estimate from Irish adolescent boys. 10 These differences indicate that social context, even among Western societies, may lead to different weight related attempts among adolescent boys. While these studies all used similar measures for weight gain attempts, future research could clarify what precisely is meant by "trying to gain weight" (gaining muscle mass versus weight in general) and what specific behaviors adolescent boys are using for weight gain attempts (i.e.…”

Family Related Variables’ Influences on Adolescents’ Health Based on Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Database, an AI-Assisted Scoping Review, and Narrative Synthesis

“…Besides, ten studies focussed on family meal activity. Four of them specified weight concerns ( Kelly et al, 2016 ), weight control behaviours ( Tur-Sinai et al, 2020 ), and food habits ( Verzeletti et al, 2010a , b ) as outcomes, which were highly correlated with the actual BMI and body image. Additionally, one article focussed on the relationship between family meal routines and adolescents’ body image ( Ramseyer Winter et al, 2019 ).…”