Dieting practices found to be high among high school students

Nutrition Research Newsletter, Oct, 2004

Research has demonstrated that a large proportion of the adolescent population is either currently dieting or has been on a diet in the recent past. Dieting behaviors are likely to be unhealthy, particularly during the adolescent years. Dieting in this age group is concerning because the risk of nutrient deficiencies. And while many teenagers are dieting in an attempt to enhance their appearance, our adolescent population is more overweight than ever before. Research suggests that dieting may not only cause nutrient deficiencies, but may also be a predictor of, or a risk for, an eating disorder.

The goal of a recent study was to determine the patterns and frequency of dieting behaviors in a high school population in a metropolitan area. The survey instrument consisted of demographic questions (including students' self-reported heights and weights) and questions regarding dieting practices. Weights were classified according to the body mass index (BMI). A total of 146 student surveys were included in this analysis.

The population with a BMI greater than 25 was 26.6% and at risk of being overweight. Of those who had attempted dieting, 54.7% often diet to control their weight. Limiting portion size was practiced by about 34% of those who had tried dieting techniques. In addition, counting calories and counting grams of fat were reported by 31.4% and 41.9% of these students, respectively. Adolescents appear to purchase low-fat foods with 64.8% who had tried dieting reported that they tried to eat and/or purchase foods that were low in fat. Approximately 44% of the dieting subjects skipped meals to control their weight.

The high rates of dieting behaviors among these subjects suggest that adolescents be targeted for appropriate interventions. Safe weight loss strategies should be an essential part of any nutrition education.

L. Calderon, C. Yu, P. Jambazian. Dieting practices in high school students. J Am Diet Assoc; 104:1369-1374 (September, 2004). [Correspondence: Laura L. Calderon, DrPH, RD, Department of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science, College of Health and Human Services, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032. E-mail: lcalder@calstatela.edu].