SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Johnson ER, Weiler RM, Barnett TE, Pealer LN. J. Sch. Health 2016; 86(4): 281-287.

Affiliation

Hassett Willis, 1100 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005. lpealer@hassettwillis.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/josh.12380

PMID

26930240

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15-19. Research has established an association across numerous risk factors and suicide, including depression, substance abuse, bullying victimization, and feelings of alienation. However, the connection between disordered eating as manifested in extreme weight-control behaviors (EWCB), and suicidal thoughts, ideation, and attempts among adolescents is less understood. Given the prevalence of adolescent suicide, this investigation examined associations between EWCB and suicide risk among high school students.

METHODS: Data were collected from a convenience sample of 4178 students in grades 9-12 attending 5 public high schools using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between EWCB and suicide controlling for grade level and race, reported separately by sex.

RESULTS: Students who reported seriously considering suicide had higher odds of exhibiting all 3 EWCBs [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)(male) = 3.0 (confidence interval (CI): 1.4, 6.5); AOR(female) = 4.5 (CI: 2.5, 8.3)]. Moreover, students who reported they made plans about suicide were also more likely to exhibit all EWCBs [AOR(male) = 3.7 (CI: 1.7, 7.9); AOR(female) = 4.2 (CI: 2.3, 7.7)].

CONCLUSIONS: EWCBs were significantly associated with suicide risk, furthering the evidence suggesting a link between disordered eating and suicide.

FINDINGS demonstrated the need for school health services that address disordered eating in the effort to reduce adolescent suicide.


Language: en

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print