Citation
Nagata, J. M.; Domingue, B. W.; Darmstadt, G. L.; Weber, A. M.; Meausoone, V.; Cislaghi, B.; & Shakya, H. B. (2019). Gender Norms and Weight Control Behaviors in U.S. Adolescents: A Prospective Cohort Study (1994–2002). Journal of Adolescent Health.Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this article was to determine the relationship between gender norms and weight control behaviors in U.S. adolescents. Methods: We analyzed prospective cohort data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 9,861), at baseline in 1994–1995 (ages 11–18 years, Wave I), 1-year follow-up (ages 12–19 years, Wave II), and 7-year follow-up (ages 18–26 years, Wave III). The primary exposure variable was a measure of one's gender normativity based on the degree to which males and females behave in ways that are similar to the behaviors of their same-gender peers. The outcome variable was an individual's weight control attempts (trying to lose or gain weight) and behaviors (dieting, fasting/skipping meals, vomiting, or weight-loss pills/laxatives/diuretics to lose weight or ate different/more foods than usual or taking supplements to gain weight). Results: In logistic regression analyses controlling for potential confounders, a higher baseline individual gender normativity score (higher femininity in females and higher masculinity in males) was associated with weight loss attempts (β = .10; p = .01) and weight loss behaviors (β = .18; p < .001) in girls but was associated with weight gain attempts (β = .18; p < .001) and behaviors (β = .16; p < .001) in boys at 1-year follow-up. Higher individual gender normativity score was protective of weight loss attempts (β = −.15; p < .001) and weight loss behaviors (β = −.17; p < .001) in males but not females at 7-year follow-up. Loess plots provided visualizations of significant relationships. Conclusions: Gender norms may reinforce a thinner body ideal for girls but a larger ideal for boys.URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.08.020Keyword(s)
adolescent healthNotes
Export Date: 4 November 2019Reference Type
Journal ArticleJournal Title
Journal of Adolescent HealthAuthor(s)
Nagata, J. M.Domingue, B. W.
Darmstadt, G. L.
Weber, A. M.
Meausoone, V.
Cislaghi, B.
Shakya, H. B.