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Carolyn A. Corder, MS, RD, DJC, P. O. Box 178, Bryn Mawr, CA 92318, 909-793-4010, DJC7@msn.com
Objectives: This study examined attitudes toward body weight, dieting behaviors, and frequency of protective food intake and exercise among Latino adolescents as related to body mass index, risky behaviors, and attitudes toward family, school, and community. Methods: Data from the 1999 and 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and 2000 local survey were analyzed for 1824 middle and 2165 high school students in the City of San Bernardino, California, aged 10 to 18 years, who self-identified as Hispanic, Latino, Mexican-American, and of Latin-American descent. Results: Of six racial/ethnic groups studied mean body mass index was the highest for Latino students, and a higher proportion self-described as overweight. Chi square analysis suggests that Latino middle school students’ attitudes toward body weight are linked to expectation of having a happy life, hopefulness about the future, school attendance, suicidal thoughts, cigarette smoking, steroid and drug use, attempts to change body weight, and hours spent watching TV on school days. Latino high school students were the least likely of the racial/ethnic groups to exercise daily, even though half responded that they were trying to lose weight. Conclusions: Latino youth recognize overweight as a problem, and many in this survey indicated they are trying manage their body weight. There are indications that even younger Latinos may associate long term concepts such a happy life and hopeful future outcomes with body weight. Interventions need to target daily exercise and building self efficacy.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescents, Culture
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.