@article{ref1,
title="Body mass index z-scores and weight status predict conduct disorder symptoms in adolescents",
journal="Journal of Adolescent Health",
year="2017",
author="Vannucci, Anna and Ohannessian, Christine McCauley",
volume="61",
number="5",
pages="657-660",
abstract="PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to examine whether baseline body mass index (BMI) z-scores and weight status predicted conduct disorder (CD) symptoms in 368 adolescents (15-17 years). <br><br>METHODS: Participants in the 10th and 11th grades completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and at a 2-year follow-up. Baseline BMI z-scores and weight status were derived from self-reports of height and weight. CD symptoms were assessed using a symptom checklist. Covariates included baseline demographics, depressive symptoms, alcohol consumption, drug use, and a retrospective report of CD symptoms before age 15 years. <br><br>RESULTS: A cubic association was observed between baseline BMI z-scores and follow-up CD symptoms (p =.047), such that a positive association emerged only among adolescents with BMI z-scores of greater than ∼1.5. Adolescents who were obese at baseline reported more follow-up CD symptoms than nonoverweight adolescents (p =.008). Higher baseline BMI z-scores were associated with increased odds of endorsing probable CD at follow-up (p's <.03). Obese adolescents were more likely to report the presence of probable CD at follow-up than overweight and nonoverweight adolescents (p's ≤.01). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that nutritional status, particularly high BMI z-scores and obese weight status, may contribute to elevated CD symptoms during adolescence, which should be dually addressed in screening and intervention efforts.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1054-139X",
doi="10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.05.026",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.05.026"
}