Predicting Young Adult’s Obesity: The Role of Body Image during Adolescence and Race/Ethnicity

Linda M. Manning, Arizona State University
Mary H. Benin, Arizona State University
Verna Keith, Florida State University

Obesity among adolescents and young adults has become a national health concern. Using the first and third waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth), we examine the effects of adolescents’ body image and weight management behaviors on their chances of being overweight or obese as young adults. Being overweight at Wave I increases the chances of being overweight or obese at Wave III. Controlling for actual Wave I weight, we find that adolescents who think they are overweight and are trying to lose weight at Wave I are more likely to be overweight or obese at Wave III. These effects are particularly strong for Blacks and Hispanics. This suggests that Blacks and Hispanics may be particularly likely to engage in unsuccessful weight control behaviors. Our results suggest that social programs that are geared toward decreasing the prevalence of adolescent obesity should be more culturally specific.