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Annals of Behavioral Medicine

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01-04-2012 | Original Article

A Prospective Study of Psychological Distress and Weight Status in Adolescents/Young Adults

Authors: Laura D. Kubzansky, PhD, Mark S. Gilthorpe, PhD, Elizabeth Goodman, MD

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Background

The obesity–psychological distress relationship remains controversial.

Purpose

This study aims to assess whether adolescents’ psychological distress was associated with body mass index (BMI) class membership determined by latent class analysis.

Methods

Distress (anxiety, depression) and BMI were measured annually for 4 years in 1,528 adolescents. Growth mixture modeling derived latent BMI trajectory classes for models with 2–11 classes. The relationship of distress to class membership was examined in the best-fitting model using vector generalized linear regression.

Results

BMI trajectories were basically flat. The five-class model [normal weight (48.8%), overweight (36.7%), obese who become overweight (3.7%), obese (9.4%), and severely obese (1.3%)] was the preferred model (Bayesian information criterion = 22789.2, df = 31; ρ = 0.84). Greater distress was associated with higher baseline BMI and, therefore, class membership.

Conclusions

Psychological distress is associated with higher BMI class during adolescence. To determine whether distress “leads” to greater weight gain may require studies of younger populations.

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Title: A Prospective Study of Psychological Distress and Weight Status in Adolescents/Young Adults
Authors: Laura D. Kubzansky, PhD
Mark S. Gilthorpe, PhD
Elizabeth Goodman, MD
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9323-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A Prospective Study of Psychological Distress and Weight Status in Adolescents/Young Adults

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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