A Comparison of Weight-Related Behaviors among High School Students Who Are Homeless and Non-Homeless

Autor/inn/en	Fournier, Mary E.; Austin, S. Bryn; Samples, Cathryn L.; Goodenow, Carol S.; Wylie, Sarah A.; Corliss, Heather L.
Titel	A Comparison of Weight-Related Behaviors among High School Students Who Are Homeless and Non-Homeless
Quelle	In: Journal of School Health, 79 (2009) 10, S.466-473 (8 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-4391
DOI	10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00436.x
Schlagwörter	Homeless People; Health Behavior; Risk; Body Weight; Body Composition; Nutrition; Physical Activity Level; Comparative Analysis; High School Students; Public Schools; Eating Disorders; At Risk Students; Incidence; Federal Legislation; Massachusetts; Youth Risk Behavior Survey + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Homeless person; Homeless persons; Obdachloser; Health behaviour; Gesundheitsverhalten; Risiko; Körpergewicht; Ernährung; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Public school; Öffentliche Schule; Appetite disorder; Essstörung; Vorkommen; Bundesrecht; Master-Studiengang
Abstract	Background: Previous research has shown that youth who are homeless engage in high-risk behaviors. However, there has been little information published on nutritional and physical activity behaviors in this population, and studies comparing homeless youth in school with their non-homeless peers are scarce. This study compares weight-related risk behaviors of public high school students in Massachusetts based on homeless status. Methods: We obtained data from 3264 9th through 12th grade students who participated in the 2005 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Multivariable logistic regression, controlling for gender, grade, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation, was performed to assess the relationship between homeless status as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and weight-related indicators. Analyses were weighted and adjusted for the multistage complex sampling design. Results: Of this sample, 4.2% reported being homeless (n = 152). Higher prevalence of homelessness was found among males, racial/ethnic minorities, sexual minorities, and students who were not in a traditional grade level. The distribution of body mass index was similar among students who were homeless and non-homeless (underweight 4.0 and 3.0%, and overweight 27.1 and 27.1%, respectively). Homeless students were more likely than non-homeless students to report disordered weight-control behaviors including fasting (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.5) and diet pill use (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6-6.9). Conclusions: More than 4% of public high school students in Massachusetts meet the federal definition of homelessness. These students are at high risk for disordered weight-control behaviors. Policy decisions at the school, state, and federal levels should make a concerted effort to target these students with social services and nutritional interventions. (Contains 3 tables.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10