Trends in Weight Management Goals and Behaviors Among 9th–12th Grade Students: United States, 1999–2009

To examine trends in weight management goals and behaviors among U.S. high school students during 1999–2009. Data from six biennial cycles (1999–2009) of the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analyzed. Cross-sectional, nationally representative samples of 9th–12th grade students (approximately 14,000 students/cycle) completed self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression models adjusted for grade, race/ethnicity, and obesity were used to test for trends in weight management goals and behaviors among subgroups of students. Combined prevalences and trends differed by sex and by race/ethnicity and weight status within sex. During 1999–2009, the prevalence of female students trying to gain weight decreased (7.6–5.7 %). Among female students trying to lose or stay the same weight, prevalences decreased for eating less (69.6–63.2 %); fasting (23.3–17.6 %); using diet pills/powders/liquids (13.7–7.8 %); and vomiting/laxatives (9.5–6.6 %) for weight control. During 1999–2009, the prevalence of male students trying to lose weight increased (26.1–30.5 %). Among male students trying to lose or stay the same weight, the prevalence of exercising to control weight did not change during 1999–2003 and then increased (74.0–79.1 %) while the prevalence of taking diet pills/powders/liquids for weight control decreased (6.9–5.1 %) during 1999–2009. Weight management goals and behaviors changed during 1999–2009 and differed by subgroup. To combat the use of unhealthy weight control behaviors, efforts may be needed to teach adolescents about recommended weight management strategies and avoiding the risks associated with unhealthy methods.