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Weight control intentions and mental health among Canadian adolescents:
a gender-based analysis of students in the COMPASS study Natalie Doan, Isabella Romano, Alexandra Butler, Rachel E. Laxer, Karen A. Patte, Scott T. Leatherdale Read the paper |
Introduction: Little is known about gender differences in associations between weight control intentions and mental health in adolescents. Our objective was to examine these associations in a large sample of adolescent girls and boys. Methods: Using data from Year 6 (2017-18) of the COMPASS study (n = 57 324), we performed a series of multivariable linear regressions to examine whether weight control intentions (gain, lose, stay the same, no intention) were associated with depression, anxiety and self-concept, while adjusting for relevant covariates including body mass index. Models were stratified by self-reported gender. Results: Compared to those with no intentions, girls who intended to lose weight reported higher symptoms of depression (B = 0.52, p < 0.001) and anxiety (B = 0.41, p < 0.001) and poorer self-concept (B = 2.06, p < 0.001). Girls who intended to gain weight also reported higher symptoms of depression (B = 0.54, p < 0.001), anxiety (B = 0.50, p < 0.001) and self-concept (B = 1.25, p < 0.001). Boys who intended to lose weight reported greater symptoms of depression (B = 0.26, p < 0.001) and anxiety (B = 0.33, p < 0.001) and poor self-concept (B = 1.10, p < 0.001). In boys, weight-gain intentions were associated with greater symptoms of anxiety (B = 0.17, p < 0.05), but not depression or self-concept. Conclusion: Intentions to gain or lose weight were associated with symptoms of mental disorder and poor self-concept in our large sample of adolescents, and these relationships differed in boys and girls. These findings have important implications for school-based programs promoting healthy weight and body image.
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Research interests: intersectionality theory, health equity, prevention and early detection, dietary intake, eating habits, eating disorders, weight control, mental health, knowledge translation
Education:
PhD Student, Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo (2020- ) MSc, Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo (2018-2020) BAH, Psychology (thesis option), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Queen's University (2013-2018) Select publications:
Peer-reviewed:
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Recognitions:
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Select professional activities and networks:
- School of Public Health and Health Systems Graduate Student Representative, Applied Health Sciences Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being, University of Waterloo (2020 - Present)
- Outreach and Education, National Eating Disorder Information Centre (2020 - Present)
- Education Committee Member, National Initiatives for Eating Disorders (2019 - Present)
- Executive Member, Obesity Canada - Students and New Professionals, University of Waterloo (2019 - Present)
- Coalition Member, Waterloo-Wellington Eating Disorder Coalition (2018 - Present)
- Steering Committee Member, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (2019 - 2020)
- Group Facilitator, Canadian Mental Health Association - Waterloo and Wellington (2018-2019)
Natalie's MSc thesis:
Exploring reluctancy towards help-seeking at school among youth in the COMPASS study
Read Natalie's MSc Thesis
Exploring reluctancy towards help-seeking at school among youth in the COMPASS study
- Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems that emerge during adolescence, it has been observed that young people are among the least likely to seek help. Considering many adolescents spend most of their weekday waking hours at school, the school system has the potential to support positive mental health behaviours in students.
- The goal of Natalie's MSc thesis was to identify student and school characteristics associated with a reluctancy towards help-seeking for mental health concerns at school.
- Data from the 2018-2019 wave of the COMPASS study were examined. In total, 47,290 Grade 9 to 12 students attending 116 schools were included in the analyses. GEE models were used to assess the student and school characteristics associated with attitudes towards help-seeking for mental health concerns at school.
- Over half (58%) of students reported being reluctant towards help-seeking at school.
- Few school and many student characteristics were associated with help-seeking attitudes at school among youth.
- Students attending schools in areas with lower population densities and median household incomes in the medium range were less likely to be reluctant to help-seeking relative to students attenting schools in areas with higher density and median household incomes.
- Students with poorer mental health as indicated by self-rated mental health, emotion regulation and flourishing, family and peer support, and school connectedness were at greater odds of being reluctant towards help-seeking at school compared to students with more favourable scores on these variables.
- It is vital to further examine how school mental health strategies can be used to promote positive help-seeking attitudes among students.
Read Natalie's MSc Thesis