The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58806

Danice K. Eaton, PhD, MPH, Richard Lowry, MD, MS, and Nancy D. Brener, PhD. Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS K-33, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-6143, dhe0@cdc.gov

The percentage of adolescents who are overweight has tripled during the past 20 years, placing increased importance on understanding the mental health implications of body weight in this population. This study investigated how body mass index (BMI) and perceived weight are associated with suicide ideation and attempts. We analyzed data from the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a representative sample of 13,601 U.S. high school students. Perceived weight was defined as self-described weight (very underweight, slightly underweight, about right, slightly overweight, very overweight). A similar five-category BMI variable was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to describe how BMI and perceived weight were associated with self-reports of having seriously considered suicide and attempted suicide in the past year. We controlled for sex, age, physical activity, weight management practices, and smoking. In general, BMI was associated with suicide ideation and attempts when we did not control for perceived weight, but these associations were not significant when perceived weight was included in models. Suicide ideation was significantly associated with perceiving oneself as very underweight (OR=2.29), slightly underweight (OR=1.36), slightly overweight (OR=1.33), or very overweight (OR=2.50). Suicide attempts were significantly associated with perceiving oneself as very overweight among white students (OR=2.74) and as very underweight among white (OR=3.04), black (OR=2.86), and Hispanic (OR=3.40) students. Perceived weight appears to mediate the associations between BMI and suicide ideation and attempts. Perceiving oneself as very overweight or very underweight was strongly associated with increased risk for suicide ideation and attempts.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Describe the mediating role of perceived weight in the associations between body mass index and suicide ideation and attempts among adolescents.
• Articulate future research priorities to increase understanding of the factors associated with perceived weight and suicide among adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents, Suicide

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.