Recent national data indicate the average adult in the U.S. consumes only 3.4 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A number of national and regional studies have reported even lower intakes among adolescents. Moreover, research suggests that adolescents involved in weight loss behaviors may not be meeting their nutritional needs. Inspired by the prevalence of dieting and other weight control behaviors among our nation's youth, as well as the conflicting nature of the evidence of weight control as health promoting or detrimental, this study examined the association between method of weight loss and fruit and vegetable intake. Since athletes may be more likely to practice weight control behaviors, this group was examined separately. The data for this study were derived from the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) (n=16,252). The chi-square test (p < .05) and relative risk examined the association between fruit and vegetable intake and each weight control behavior separately among boys and girls, athletes and non-athletes. Significant associations were noted between most weight control behaviors and vegetable intake across groups. Surprisingly, adolescents who reported engaging in weight control behaviors were more likely to consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. On the basis of this study, adolescents who diet, exercise, or use pathogenic methods to maintain or lose weight are not at a nutritional disadvantage with respect to fruit and vegetable intake. This study provides health professionals, teachers, dieticians and parents with important insight with respect to the nutritional repercussions of weight control.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. ...describe the relationship between various weight control behaviors and fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents. 2. ...artculate a rationale for the surprising findings of a protective effect of participating in weight control behaviors and consuming five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day
Keywords: Dietary Assessment, Weight Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.