Predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in U.S. young adults: A prospective cohort study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine adolescent predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in young men and women using a nationally representative longitudinal sample in the United States and to examine differences by sex.

METHOD:

We used nationally representative longitudinal cohort data collected from baseline (11-18 years old, 1994-1995) and 7-year follow-up (18-24 years old, 2001-2002) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We examined adolescent demographic, behavioral, and mental health predictors of young adult muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors defined as eating more or differently to gain weight or bulk up, supplements to gain weight or bulk up, or androgenic anabolic steroid use at 7-year follow-up.

RESULTS:

Of the 14,891 included participants, 22% of males and 5% of females reported any muscularity-oriented disordered eating behavior at follow-up in young adulthood. Factors recorded at adolescence that were prospectively associated with higher odds of muscularity-oriented disordered eating in both sexes included black race, exercising to gain weight, self-perception of being underweight, and lower body mass index z-score. In addition, participation in weightlifting; roller-blading, roller-skating, skate-boarding, or bicycling; and alcohol among males and depressive symptoms among females during adolescence were associated with higher odds of muscularity-oriented disordered eating in young adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS:

Interventions to prevent muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors may target at-risk youth, particularly those of black race or who engage in exercise to gain weight. Future research should examine longitudinal health outcomes associated with muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors.

• Authors: Jason M Nagata, Stuart B Murray, Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, Andrea K Garber, Deborah Mitchison, Scott Griffiths
• Journal: The International journal of eating disorders (Int J Eat Disord) Vol. 52 Issue 12 Pg. 1380-1388 (12 2019) ISSN: 1098-108X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 31220361 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Body Image (psychology)
• Cohort Studies
• Feeding Behavior (psychology)
• Feeding and Eating Disorders (psychology)
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Self Concept
• United States
• Young Adult