Predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in U.S. young adults: A prospective cohort study

Citation

Nagata, Jason M.; Murray, Stuart B.; Bibbins-Domingo, Kirsten; Garber, Andrea K.; Mitchison, Deborah; & Griffiths, Scott (2019). Predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in U.S. young adults: A prospective cohort study. International Journal of Eating Disorders.

Abstract

Objective To determine adolescent predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in young men and women using a nationally representative longitudinal sample in the United States and to examine differences by sex. Method We used nationally representative longitudinal cohort data collected from baseline (11?18?years old, 1994?1995) and 7-year follow-up (18?24?years old, 2001?2002) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We examined adolescent demographic, behavioral, and mental health predictors of young adult muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors defined as eating more or differently to gain weight or bulk up, supplements to gain weight or bulk up, or androgenic anabolic steroid use at 7-year follow-up. Results Of the 14,891 included participants, 22% of males and 5% of females reported any muscularity-oriented disordered eating behavior at follow-up in young adulthood. Factors recorded at adolescence that were prospectively associated with higher odds of muscularity-oriented disordered eating in both sexes included black race, exercising to gain weight, self-perception of being underweight, and lower body mass index z-score. In addition, participation in weightlifting; roller-blading, roller-skating, skate-boarding, or bicycling; and alcohol among males and depressive symptoms among females during adolescence were associated with higher odds of muscularity-oriented disordered eating in young adulthood. Conclusions Interventions to prevent muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors may target at-risk youth, particularly those of black race or who engage in exercise to gain weight. Future research should examine longitudinal health outcomes associated with muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23094

Keyword(s)

body image

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

International Journal of Eating Disorders

Author(s)

Nagata, Jason M.
Murray, Stuart B.
Bibbins-Domingo, Kirsten
Garber, Andrea K.
Mitchison, Deborah
Griffiths, Scott

Year Published

2019

Edition

June 20, 2019

DOI

10.1002/eat.23094

Reference ID

6133