Objective and Perceived Weight: Associations with Risky Adolescent Sexual Behavior
4812916.pdf

Authors

Aletha Y. Akers, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Elan D. Cohen, University of Pittsburgh Michael P. Marshall, University of Pittsburgh Geoff Roebuck, University of Pittsburgh Lan Yu, University of Pittsburgh Alison E. Hipwell, University of Pittsburgh
CONTEXT

Studies have shown that obesity is associated with increased sexual risk-taking, particularly among adolescent females, but the relationships between obesity, perceived weight and sexual risk behaviors are poorly understood.

METHODS

Integrative data analysis was performed that combined baseline data from the 1994–1995 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (from 17,606 respondents in grades 7–12) and the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (from 7,752 respondents aged 12–16). Using six sexual behaviors measured in both data sets (age at first intercourse, various measures of contraceptive use and number of partners), cluster analysis was conducted that identified five distinct behavior clusters. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis examined associations between adolescents’ weight status (categorized as underweight, normal-weight, overweight or obese) and weight perception and their cluster membership.

RESULTS

Among males, being underweight, rather than normal-weight, was negatively associated with membership in increasingly risky clusters (odds ratio, 0.5), as was the perception of being overweight, as opposed to about the right weight (0.8). However, being overweight was positively associated with males’ membership in increasingly risky clusters (1.3). Among females, being obese, rather than normal-weight, was negatively correlated with membership in increasingly risky clusters (0.8), while the perception of being overweight was positively correlated with such membership (1.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Both objective and subjective assessments of weight are associated with the clustering of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents, and these behavioral patterns differ by gender.

Author's Affiliations

Aletha Y. Akers is medical director, Adolescent Gynecology Consultative Service, and assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, Craig Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Elan D. Cohen is a data analyst, at the Center for Research on Health Care Data Center, University of Pittsburgh. Michael P. Marshal is associate professor, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh. Geoff Roebuck is a research assistant, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. Lan Yu is assistant professor, at the Center for Research on Health Care Data Center, University of Pittsburgh. Alison E. Hipwell is associate professor, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Guttmacher Institute.
Volume 48, Issue 3
September 2016
|
Pages 129 - 137

First published online:

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1363/48e11416
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1363/48e11416/abstract