2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DIET

During the past year, how many times have you changed your eating habits or gone on a diet for more than one week to control your weight or to lose weight?

Gender

Responses

2001

1998

1993

1990

1988

Female

0 Times

41.4%

41.9%

40.7%

42.2%

39.0%

1 Time

17.8%

16.9%

16.4%

15.9%

18.2%

2 Time

15.5%

16.2%

16.1%

12.0%

18.4%

3 Times

25.3%

25.0%

26.6%

29.8%

7.5%

Male

0 Times

61.1%

69.5%

70.9%

76.9%

74.9%

1 Time

17.1%

13.2%

11.6%

11.0%

13.3%

2 Time

12.9%

8.6%

8.3%

6.8%

5.8%

3 Times

8.9%

7.9%

8.0%

5.1%

2.7%

Media and advertising channels continue to emphasize lean physiques as a norm for body types.  However, adolescents and the American population continue to gain weight.  For adolescents, the discrepancies between normal diets and eating behaviors and the advertised lean physique can be problematic.  Traditionally this has been identified as a problem for young women and there has been little change in the trend of female dieting over the past 11 years – almost two-thirds had utilized dieting practices over the previous year.  With regard to males, there seems to have been a shift in male dieting.  Males, who reported dieting behaviors during the previous year, showed an increase of 16% over the 11 years; an important change was an 8% increase that occurred over the last 3 years.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DIET

How often do you vomit (throw up) on purpose after eating to lose weight?

Gender

Responses

2001

1998

1993*

1990

1988

Female

Never

84.9%

86.5%

N/A

88.0%

83.6%

Once a month or less

7.9%

7.2%

7.8%

10.2%

2-3 times a month

3.5%

2.4%

2.1%

3.3%

Once a week

1.8%

1.1%

0.6%

1.1%

2 or more times a week

1.8%

2.6%

1.4%

1.8%

Male

Never

79.6%

86.5%

N/A

86.7%

86.2%

Once a month or less

9.3%

6.9%

8.7%

9.0%

2-3 times a month

6.4%

3.4%

2.2%

3.1%

Once a week

3.7%

1.7%

0.7%

0.2%

2 or more times a week

1.1%

1.0%

1.5%

1.6%

* Data not available for 1993.

Bulimic behaviors, as a method to lose weight, have been identified as a high-risk behavior with potentially harmful physical effects.  Between 15% and 20% of adolescents report having practiced this behavior.  These are negative weight loss methods and identify youngsters who probably have a negative body image.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DIET

At the present time, how do you feel about your weight?

Gender

Responses

2001

Female

I'm underweight

13.3%

Slightly more than half of the adolescents indicated that they were the right weight.  Fifty-seven percent of males and 53% of females believe that they are about the right weight.  Among females, 34% reported that they were overweight and only 13% of females reported that they were underweight.  Males on the other hand showed a slightly different profile.  Almost equal numbers (20%) are identified as being overweight and underweight.  Indications are that substantial numbers of adolescents have body image problems.  Addressing these issues should require separate strategies for both males and females.

I'm overweight

34.1%

I'm about the right weight

52.6%

Male

I'm underweight

19.4%

I'm overweight

23.6%

I'm about the right weight

57.0%

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DIET

At the present time, how satisfied are you with your weight?

Gender

Responses

2001

Female

Want to lose 10 or more pounds

43.8%

This item asked students about their desires of body image rather than their global perception of body image as in the previous question.  Among young women, only one in four were satisfied with their current weight.  This was in direct contrast with the previous question where over 50% said that they were satisfied with their weight.  Almost half of the young women wished to lose about 10 pounds.  This clearly establishes a perceived pressure to look thin.

Males also showed some discrepancies on their body image perceptions.  Approximately one-third wanted to lose weight while almost 20% wanted to gain weight.  As with young women, there seems to be considerable perceived pressure to attain a desirable body image.

Want to lose 1 to 9 pounds

16.6%

I am satisfied with my weight

25.1%

Want to gain 1 to 9 pounds

6.7%

Want to gain 10 or more pounds

7.8%

Male

Want to lose 10 or more pounds

24.9%

Want to lose 1 to 9 pounds

12.4%

I am satisfied with my weight

36.3%

Want to gain 1 to 9 pounds

8.1%

Want to gain 10 or more pounds

18.3%

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DIET

During the past week, how many times did you eat food from a fast food restaurant?

Gender

Responses

2001

1998

1993*

1990

1988

Female

0 Times

14.7%

15.4%