Abstract
Both substance use and obesity are prevalent among youth. As youth age, substance use rates increase and over the past three
decades, obesity rates among youth have tripled. While these two factors have both short- and long-term health impacts, little
research has explored how substance use and obesity among youth may be related. This study explores the bi-directional longitudinal
relationships between substance use and body composition. Participants (N = 704; 50.7% female) were mostly white (86.4%) with
a baseline mean age of 14.7 years. Objectively measured body composition was used to calculate body mass index z-scores (BMI
z-score) and percent body fat. Cross-lagged structural equation models, accounting for clustering at the school level, were
run to determine the longitudinal association between body composition and self-reported substance use (alcohol, cigarette,
and marijuana), adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, pubertal status, and weight satisfaction. Baseline alcohol
use predicted decreased BMI z-score at follow-up and a similar association with percent body fat approached significance.
Baseline cigarette use predicted increased percent body fat. No longitudinal associations were seen between baseline body
composition and future substance use. Our results suggest that substance use contributes to subsequent body composition; however,
body composition does not contribute to subsequent substance use. Continued research that explores these relationships longitudinally
is greatly needed.
decades, obesity rates among youth have tripled. While these two factors have both short- and long-term health impacts, little
research has explored how substance use and obesity among youth may be related. This study explores the bi-directional longitudinal
relationships between substance use and body composition. Participants (N = 704; 50.7% female) were mostly white (86.4%) with
a baseline mean age of 14.7 years. Objectively measured body composition was used to calculate body mass index z-scores (BMI
z-score) and percent body fat. Cross-lagged structural equation models, accounting for clustering at the school level, were
run to determine the longitudinal association between body composition and self-reported substance use (alcohol, cigarette,
and marijuana), adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, pubertal status, and weight satisfaction. Baseline alcohol
use predicted decreased BMI z-score at follow-up and a similar association with percent body fat approached significance.
Baseline cigarette use predicted increased percent body fat. No longitudinal associations were seen between baseline body
composition and future substance use. Our results suggest that substance use contributes to subsequent body composition; however,
body composition does not contribute to subsequent substance use. Continued research that explores these relationships longitudinally
is greatly needed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Empirical Research
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9706-y
- Authors
- Keryn E. Pasch, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, 1 University Station, D3700, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Cayley E. Velazquez, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, 1 University Station, D3700, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Jessica Duncan Cance, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, 1 University Station, D3700, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Stacey G. Moe, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
- Leslie A. Lytle, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891