Racial/Ethnic Differences in Weight Perceptions and Weight Control Behaviors Among Adolescent Females

Abstract

Using data from the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, this study examined select sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of weight perceptions and weight control behaviors among Black, Hispanic and White females (n = 6,089). Results showed little difference across ethnic groups for perceptions of body weight with slightly over 50%, 30% and 12% describing their weight as about right, overweight, or underweight, respectively. There was striking discordance between weight perception and reported weight gain or loss among White girls. Regression analysis showed indicators of depression and feeling unsafe predictive of weight loss behaviors across all groups while GPA and forced sex were significant for Whites and Hispanics. Television watching and physical exertion were not significant. Findings suggest prevention of depression and victimization as the principal means of reducing maladaptive weight control behaviors across all ethnic groups and surveillance for inappropriate weight loss behaviors among White and Hispanic girls with higher GPA’s