Are adolescents harmed when asked risky weight control behavior and attitude questions? Implications for consent procedures.

Objectives: This study explores whether asking minors about risky weight control behaviors and attitudes increases the frequency of those behaviors and attitudes.

Methods: Participants were 115 sixth-grade girls who responded to questions on risky weight control behaviors and attitudes at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. An additional 107 girls, who had not been part of the baseline, provided data only at follow-up. The two groups were compared on risky weight control behaviors and attitudes at follow-up using chi-square analyses, Mann-Whitney U tests, Cohen's effect sizes, and odds ratios.

Results: No evidence of a negative effect in the twice-assessed group was found. All rates decreased from baseline to follow-up.

Conclusions: There is only minimal risk and perhaps even some benefit of asking questions about risky weight control behaviors and attitudes. Implications for determining appropriate consent procedures are discussed.