Are obese adolescent boys ignoring an important health risk?
1996
Steen, S.N. | Wadden, T.A. | Foster, G.D. | Andersen, R.E.
Objective: The present study assessed satisfaction with weight, shape, and physical appearance, as well as the frequency of weight reduction efforts, in four well-defined groups of adolescents: (1) normal-weight girls; (2) normal-weight boys; (3) obese girls; and (4) obese boys. Method: Subjects were selected from 453 females and 355 males from a parochial school. In addition to the measurements of height and weight, adolescents completed a series of questionnaires on weight and dieting, weight and figure satisfaction, parents' attitudes toward weight, and anxiety. Results: Only 49% of obese boys had tried to lose weight over the past year as compared to 90% of the obese girls (p < .007). Only 13% of the obese boys were currently dieting as compared to 62% of the obese girls (p < .001). Despite the relative equivalence of weight in the obese boys and girls, the boys perceived themselves to be less overweight (P < .05) and happier with their looks (p < .001) than obese girls. Thirty-three percent of normal-weight girls were dieting, and 70% had attempted weight loss over the past year. They were significantly less happy with their weight and figure than were average-weight boys (p < .001) and, remarkably, did not differ significantly from overweight boys on these measures. Discussion: Obese adolescent males, in particular, need to be educated about the potential liabilities of their excess weight and encouraged to take appropriate action to correct it.
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