Weight loss intentions and behaviors among rural adolescents in the United States: Findings from the national longitudinal study of adolescent health

Background: Obesity is one of the most pressing health issues facing young people today, especially those living in rural areas. Despite this recognition,however, the weight loss intentions and behaviors of rural adolescents remains an understudied area. Methodology: Secondary analysis was conducted using data from Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative sample of adolescents in grades 7 to 12. Using school location as a proxy for rurality, respondents were separated into rural (N=5263) and urban (N=8502) categories. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed to determine if geographic location was associated with weight loss intentions and risky (laxative use, intentional vomiting, diet pills) or non-risky (dieting,exercise) weight loss behaviors. Results: Preliminary analyses suggest that in terms of intentions to lose weight there are significant differences between rural and urban adolescents with rural adolescents exhibiting higher levels of intentions to lose weight (t(11355)= 3.89, p< .0001). This study will also report on the role of moderators such as gender, race, BMI, weight perception, and income as well as the association between intentions to lose weight and risky and non-risky weight loss behaviors for rural youth. Conclusion: The prevalence of intentions to lose weight among rural adolescents suggest a high level of concern for weight status. These findings highlight the need for further understanding of the weight related behaviors of these youth as well as the health risks that some of these behaviors may entail.