Gender differences in determinants of weight-control behaviours among adolescents in Beirut

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between self-esteem, physical activity, engaging in risky behaviours, social and cultural capital, attitudes towards thinness, parental and personal characteristics with weight-control behaviours among adolescents in Beirut, Lebanon.Design A community-based cross-sectional study. A stratified cluster sampling design was used and information gathered by means of a questionnaire. Associations were investigated using multinomial logistic regression, accounting for the survey design. Odds ratios were calculated for trying to lose weight, or trying to gain weight, compared with no weight-control behaviour.Setting The study was conducted in three underprivileged urban areas of Beirut in 2003.Subjects The sample size was 1294 adolescents aged 1319 years.Results: Determinants of weight-control behaviour among girls included their attitudes towards thinness (OR loss = 429, gain = 038), dissatisfaction with weight (ORloss = 109, gain = 963), engaging in physical activity (loss = 222), smoking (ORloss3) and the mother working (ORloss = 277). Determinants of weight-control behaviour in boys included their attitudes towards thinness (ORloss = 147, gain = 035), dissatisfaction with weight (ORloss = 156, gain = 177), being involved in a cultural activity (gain = 251), engaging in a fight (loss = 525, gain = 164) and engaging in physical activity (loss = 256, gain = 217).Conclusions: Attitudes towards thinness, weight dissatisfaction and physical activity are common determinants for weight-control among boys and girls, although to varying degrees of influence. Self-esteem, social capital, cultural capital and parental characteristics were not significant predictors when accounting for the other variables.