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Relationship Between Current Substance Use and Unhealthy Weight Loss Practices Among Adolescents

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Abstract

Objectives To determine the relationship between current substance use and unhealthy weight loss practices (UWLP) among 12-to-18 year olds. Methods Participants were 12-to-18 year olds who completed the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Florida (N = 5620). Current alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use was self-reported based on last 30-day use. UWLP was defined based on self-report of at least one of three methods to lose weight in last 30-days: (1) ≥24 h of fasting, (2) diet pill use, and (3) laxative use/purging. The reference group included those with no reported UWLP. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, academic performance, age-sex-specific body mass index percentiles, and perceived weight status were fitted to assess relationships between UWLP and current substance use. Results About 15 and 41 % of adolescents reported ≥1 UWLP and use of ≥1 substance in the last 30-days, respectively. Over half (60.1 %) of adolescents who reported substance use engaged in UWLP (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of current alcohol use (50.6 %) was the highest among those who reported UWLP, followed by marijuana (31.9 %), tobacco (19.7 %), and cocaine (10.5 %) use. Adolescents who reported current tobacco [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.7, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.1–3.6], alcohol (AOR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.9–2.6), or marijuana (AOR 2.1, 95 % CI 1.7–2.5) use had significantly higher odds of UWLP compared to their non-user counterparts. Conclusions This cross-sectional study shows that substance use and UWLP behaviors are likely to co-exist in adolescents. Further studies are necessary to determine the temporal relationship between substance use and UWLP. It is recommended that intervention programs for youth consider targeting these multiple health risk behaviors.

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Acknowledgments

All work originated from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences Divisions of Epidemiology and Population Health Sciences, Prevention Science, and Biostatistics; and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Clinical Research. This research was supported by NIH/NIDA Grant K01 DA 026993.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology and Population Health Sciences, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33130, USA

    Denise C. Vidot, Sarah E. Messiah & WayWay M. Hlaing

  2. Division of Prevention Science and Community Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33130, USA

    Denise C. Vidot & Guillermo Prado

  3. Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33130, USA

    Sarah E. Messiah

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  1. Denise C. Vidot
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Correspondence to Denise C. Vidot.

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Vidot, D.C., Messiah, S.E., Prado, G. et al. Relationship Between Current Substance Use and Unhealthy Weight Loss Practices Among Adolescents. Matern Child Health J 20, 870–877 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1875-y

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