Participation in Weight-Related Sports Is Associated with Higher Use of Unhealthful Weight-Control Behaviors and Steroid Use
Abstract
Objective
To determine whether adolescents who participate in a weight-related sport are at increased risk for unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use.
Design
This was a population-based study (Project EAT [Eating Among Teens]).
Subjects/Setting
Subjects were 4,746 adolescents (50.2% males, 49.8% females) from 31 public middle and high schools in the Minneapolis/St Paul area of Minnesota.
Statistical Analysis Performed
Descriptive statistics, χ2 analyses, and multiple logistic regression were used. Data were adjusted for sociodemographic variables and body mass index.
Main Outcome Variables
Unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use.
Results
More males (20.4%) than females (16.2%) reported participation in a weight-related sport. Males who reported participation in a weight-related sport had an increased risk of past-week vomiting (odds ratio [OR]=5.7), laxative use (OR=6.8), as well as past-year vomiting (OR=4.9), laxative use (OR=3.4), diuretic use (OR=6.0), and steroid use (OR=3.7), compared with those males who did not report participation. Females who reported participation in a weight-related sport had an increased risk of past week vomiting (OR=2.1), as well as past year vomiting (OR=2.0), laxative use (OR=2.6), and steroid use (OR=2.6), compared with those who did not report participation in a weight-related sport.
Conclusions
The current study shows that participation in a sport that adolescents perceive as emphasizing weight is strongly associated with unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use. Preventive efforts, targeting parents, coaches, and adolescents are needed to decrease this risk.
Address correspondence to: Marla E. Eisenberg, ScD, MPH, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, 1300 S Second St, Ste 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454.
ABSTRACT