Body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight-control practices among adolescents with and without chronic illness: a population-based study

Article Abstract:

Teenagers with chronic illnesses may be more likely to dislike their bodies and to use unhealthy weight-control practices than healthy teenagers. A group of 36,284 students in grades 7 through 12 responded to a school-administered survey. Among them were 2,149 teenagers with diabetes, asthma, attention deficit disorder, physical disabilities, or seizure disorders. Researchers compared their responses with those of 1,381 teenagers without chronic illness. Teenagers with chronic illness were more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies than healthy teenagers, although the difference was more pronounced among girls. Similarly, teenagers with chronic illness were more likely to binge eat, diet frequently, or induce vomiting with girls more likely in general to resort to these practices than boys. Unhealthy weight-control practices are particularly dangerous for diabetics.

Eating disorders in children, Childhood eating disorders, Body image

---

Adolescent vegetarians: a behavioral profile of a school-based population in Minnesota

Article Abstract:

Adolescents who describe themselves as vegetarian may have higher rates of eating disorders. Researchers in Minnesota surveyed 107 school-aged vegetarian adolescents and 214 similar nonvegetarian youth. Vegetarianism was very uncommon, and 81% of vegetarians were female. Vegetarians were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and less likely to eat sweet or salty snack foods. However, vegetarians had significantly higher rates of dieting, binge eating, intentional vomiting, and laxative use. Some adolescents may adopt vegetarian eating to lose weight or express independence.

Risk factors, Food and nutrition, Vegetarianism, Vegetarians, Minnesota

---

Disordered eating among adolescents with chronic illness and disability: the role of family and other social factors

Article Abstract:

Children with chronic illnesses may be at higher risk for disordered eating patterns. Researchers surveyed 9,343 in 7th, 9th, and 11th grade, of whom 1,021 had physical disabilities, deafness, asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. Disabled and ill girls had a 59% greater risk, and boys a 122% greater risk, of regular dieting, laxative abuse, vomiting, or diet pill use than healthy children. Children with chronic conditions also reported less parental caring and family communication, and lower parental expectations than healthy children.

Social aspects, Disabled children, Bulimia, Chronically ill children

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Use of levonorgestrel implants versus oral contraceptives in adolescence: a case-control study. Inadequate weight gain among pregnant adolescents: risk factors and relationship to infant birth weight
• Abstracts: Comparisons of characteristics and outcomes among women and men with acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy
• Abstracts: Patient demands often outweigh science in coverage rulings. Assessment's effect on use: a case study. HMOs value research - if others pay for it
• Abstracts: Comparison of intrauterine hematologic and biochemical values between twin pairs with and without stuck twin syndrome
• Abstracts: Prognosis and outcomes of patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a meta-analysis. A prediction rule to identify low-risk patients with community-acquired pneumonia

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.