Being obese versus trying to lose weight: Relationship with physical inactivity and soda drinking among high school students

Abstract

BACKGROUND Among adolescents, physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits are associated with being obese. We know little about how those are associated with trying to lose weight. METHODS We analyzed the 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance data (N = 13,583) to examine how obesity and trying to lose weight are associated with: (1) <5 physically active days per week with ≥60 minutes physical activity; (2) playing with video computer games ≥3 hours per day on average; (3) no participation in any sports team in the past year; and (4) drinking soda ≥2 times per day. We applied survey logistic regression adjusting for age and Hispanic ethnicity, stratified by sex. RESULTS Both being obese (13.7%) and trying to lose weight (47.7%) are significantly associated with physical inactivity. Soda drinking was associated with being obese (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, p = .003 for boys and OR = 1.36, p = .014 for girls); it was inversely associated trying to lose weight among girls (OR = 0.72, p < .001) but not among boys (OR = 1.13, p = .174). CONCLUSION Obesity was associated with physical inactivity and drinking soda in both sexes. Only girls appeared to avoid drinking soda as a strategy for losing weight. Trying to lose weight was associated with a higher likelihood of physically inactive behaviors both sexes. High schools need to develop collaborative strategies for reducing adolescent obesity and supporting students who are trying to lose weight that address physical inactivity and soda intake.

Association between Food, Beverages and Overweight/Obesity in Children and Adolescents—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…Sugar sweetened beverages: Based on 26 records [ 17 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 29 , 33 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ], the OR (95% CI) for higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages versus lower intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was 1.20 (1.09, 1.33) ( p < 0.05) ( I 2 = 79.34%) in children and adolescents 5–18 years ( Figure 2 ). In children 5–11 years, the OR (95% CI) was 1.23 (1.10, 1.38) ( p < 0.05) ( n :12) ( Figure 3 ) and in adolescents 12–18 years of age, the OR (95% CI) was 1.30 (1.15, 1.46) ( p < 0.05) ( n :3) ( Figure 4 ).…”

Anthropometry Measures and Prevalence of Obesity among Undergraduates of Public University Libya

“…Overweight and obesity are associated with increasing age, socioeconomic status, decreased physical activity and changing eating habits. Obesity and overweight are also associated with poor socioeconomic status and a lack of education (23) . This research indicates that obesity incidence is rapidly rising in Libya, suggesting that more effort is required for preventative and therapeutic measures to decrease the impact of this prevalent disease.…”

Students’ perceptions of school sugar-free, food and exercise environments enhance healthy eating and physical activity

“…Unhealthy dietary behaviours (i.e. the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables) and physical inactivity are both known to have a significant impact on the likelihood of overweight/obesity among children and adolescents (1) . Studies have associated regular consumption of SSB with a greater risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, CHD (2) , fatty liver diseases (3) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (4) , while a physically inactive lifestyle from youth to adulthood has been associated with an increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism in adulthood (5) .…”