Weight Control Behaviors

In 2011, 46.0 percent of high school students reported that they were trying to lose weight. Nearly twice as many adolescent females (61.2 percent) reported that they were trying to lose weight as males (31.6 percent); this ratio persisted across all grade levels (data not shown in graph images or in data tables on this site). Non-Hispanic Black students were less likely to report trying to lose weight (40.9 percent) than non-Hispanic Whites (44.8 percent), and Hispanic students (52.6 percent). Among all racial/ ethnic groups, with the exception of non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native students, females were more likely to report trying to lose weight than males.

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System asked students about behaviors to lose or keep from gaining weight in the 30 days prior to the survey: fasting for 24 hours or more, taking supplements, including diet pills, powders or liquids, and vomiting or taking laxatives. Overall, 12.2 percent, 5.1 percent, and 4.3 percent of high school students reported engaging in each of these behaviors, respectively.

The proportion of students reporting each of these behaviors was similar across grade level; however, significant sex differences were observed. For example, more than twice as many females reported fasting for 24 hours or more than males (17.4 percent compared to 7.2 percent) and 6.0 percent of females reporting vomiting or taking laxatives, compared to 2.5 percent of males. The prevalence of weight control behaviors also varied by race/ethnicity. Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native students were more likely than non-Hispanic Black, Asian, and White students to report either fasting for 24 hours or more or vomiting/taking laxatives (data not shown in graph images or in data tables on this site).

This image is described in the Data section.

This image is described in the Data section.