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Associations between friends' disordered eating and muscle-enhancing behaviors

Author

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  • Eisenberg, Marla E.
  • Wall, Melanie
  • Shim, Jin Joo
  • Bruening, Meg
  • Loth, Katie
  • Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne

Abstract

Dieting, unhealthy weight control and muscle-enhancing behaviors are common among adolescents: friends are a probable source of influence on these behaviors. The present study uses data provided by nominated friends to examine associations between friends' disordered eating and muscle-enhancing behaviors and participants' own behaviors in a diverse sample of American youth. Male and female adolescents (mean age = 14.4) completed surveys and identified their friends from a class roster; friends' survey data were then linked to each participant. Participants (N = 2126) who had at least one nominated friend were included in the analytic sample. Independent variables were created using the same weight control and muscle-enhancing behaviors reported by nominated friends, and were used in logistic regression models to test associations between participants' and their friends' behaviors, stratified by gender. Results indicated that dieting, disordered eating and muscle-enhancing behaviors were common in this sample, and selected friends' behaviors were associated with the same behaviors in participants. For example, girls whose friends reported extreme weight control behaviors had significantly greater odds of using these behaviors than girls whose friends did not report these same behaviors (OR = 2.39). This research suggests that friends' weight- and shape-related behaviors are a feature of social relationships, and is the first report demonstrating these associations for muscle-enhancing behaviors. Capitalizing on the social element may be important to the development of increasingly effective intervention and prevention programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Eisenberg, Marla E. & Wall, Melanie & Shim, Jin Joo & Bruening, Meg & Loth, Katie & Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne, 2012. "Associations between friends' disordered eating and muscle-enhancing behaviors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(12), pages 2242-2249.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:75:y:2012:i:12:p:2242-2249
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.08.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Trogdon, Justin G. & Nonnemaker, James & Pais, Joanne, 2008. "Peer effects in adolescent overweight," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(5), pages 1388-1399, September.
    2. Neumark-Sztainer, D. & Story, M. & Hannan, P.J. & Croll, J., 2002. "Overweight status and eating patterns among adolescents: Where do youths stand in comparison with the Healthy People 2010 objectives?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(5), pages 844-851.
    3. Renna, Francesco & Grafova, Irina B. & Thakur, Nidhi, 2008. "The effect of friends on adolescent body weight," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 6(3), pages 377-387, December.
    4. Maticka-Tyndale, Eleanor & Barnett, Jessica Penwell, 2010. "Peer-led interventions to reduce HIV risk of youth: A review," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 98-112, May.
    5. Eisenberg, Marla E. & Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne & Story, Mary & Perry, Cheryl, 2005. "The role of social norms and friends' influences on unhealthy weight-control behaviors among adolescent girls," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(6), pages 1165-1173, March.
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    1. Eisenberg, Marla E. & Wall, Melanie M. & Larson, Nicole & Arlinghaus, Katherine R. & Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne, 2021. "Do emerging adults know what their friends are doing and does it really matter? Methodologic challenges and associations of perceived and actual friend behaviors with emerging adults’ disordered eatin," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).

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