Body mass index self-perception and weight management behaviors during late adolescence.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between actual body weight and self-perceived weight, and how perception of one's weight affects weight management behaviors among US adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents ages 16-19 years with objectively-measured weight and height and self-reported perception of weight, weight-loss efforts, and health-related behaviors (N = 642) from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Sociodemographic variables, body mass index percentile, weight perception, weight-loss efforts, and health-related behaviors were examined using Wald chi-square, Student's t test, analysis of variance, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Approximately 15% were overweight, and 20% were obese; 26% inaccurately perceived their weight. Ethnic minority groups displayed higher rates of overweight and obesity. Overweight adolescents had a higher rate of inaccurate weight perception than obese adolescents. More girls correctly perceived their weight status than boys. Nearly 25% had tried to lose weight during the past year. Among overweight and obese adolescents, accurate weight perception was significantly and positively related to weight-loss efforts after controlling for sociodemographic variables and actual weight. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate body weight perception is a significant factor in adolescents' weight-loss efforts. Targeting counseling for body weight perception and weight management toward boys and overweight adolescents may impact obesity in this age group.

Identifying symptoms of depression and anxiety in students in the school setting.

Early detection of mental health problems in school-age children offers the opportunity for prompt referral to treatment which is critical to their success in school. School nurses are in a key position to screen for mental health issues in the school setting. This article discusses how school nurses began a new initiative to use two validated screening tools, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item for detecting depression and the 5-item Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders for detecting anxiety in middle school/high school-aged children in selected urban schools. Students having positive screens were referred to the multidisciplinary school-based Student Assistance Program team for further evaluation and referral. These screens improved the identification and referral for treatment of children suffering from anxiety and/or depression by expediting the connection to services.