Weight gain in adolescents and their peers.

Econ Hum Biol

University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States.

Published: July 2009

Despite the urgent public health implications, relatively little is yet known about the effect of peers on adolescent weight gain. We describe trends and features of adolescent BMI in a nationally representative dataset and document correlations in weight gain among peers. We find strong correlations between own body mass index (BMI) and peers' BMI's. Though the correlations are especially strong in the upper ends of the BMI distribution, the relationship is smooth and holds over almost the entire range of adolescent BMI. Furthermore, the results are robust to the inclusion of school fixed effects and basic controls for other confounding factors such as race, sex, and age. Some recent research in this area considers whether or not adolescent weight gain is caused by peers. We discuss the econometric issues in plausibly estimating such effects while accounting for growth spurts and difficulties in defining adolescent obesity. While our work identifies correlations between adolescent BMI and peers' BMI, it is not intended to and cannot fully address the existence of endogenous peer effects.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2009.05.002DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

weight gain
16
adolescent bmi
12
adolescent weight
8
bmi peers'
8
adolescent
6
bmi
6
weight
4
gain adolescents
4
peers
4
adolescents peers
4

Similar Publications

Background: Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, primarily due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, leads to impaired cortisol and aldosterone production and excess adrenal androgens. Lifelong glucocorticoid therapy is required, often necessitating supraphysiological doses in youth to manage androgen excess and growth acceleration. These patients experience higher obesity rates, hypertension, and glucose metabolism issues, complicating long-term health management.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The long-term effects of breakfast on childhood z-BMI remain inconclusive.

Objective: To prospectively assess the impact of stable and altered breakfast consumption habits on z-BMI change over two years, in school-aged children across six European countries.

Methods: Data of 6,528 children (8.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The global prevalence of people living with overweight has tripled since 1975 and more than 40% of Danish women enter pregnancy being overweight. With the increasing rates of obesity observed in children, adolescents and adults, there is an urgent need for preventive measures. Risk factors for childhood obesity include maternal overweight or obesity before conception and excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Endometriosis involves the growth of endometrium-like cells outside the uterus, affecting reproductive-aged women. Symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility significantly impair quality of life. Among therapeutic options, progestogens have demonstrated efficacy in managing pain and reducing recurrence rates.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of supplemental nursing system on, sucking success, weight gain findings and bilirubin levels in newborns.

Design And Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. The population of the research consisted of 71 infants who received care and treatment at the Neonatal Intensive Care Clinic of the hospital located in a province in eastern Turkey between February and June 2023.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!