Obesogenic behaviors among adolescents: the role of generation and time in the United States

Ethn Dis. 2015 Winter;25(1):58-64.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine how obesogenic behaviors (consumption of sugary drinks, physical activity, and/or sedentary behaviors) differ among adolescents within and across generation.

Design: Data come from the 2008 Boston Youth Survey, a population-based sample of 9th-12th-graders in 22 public high schools in Boston, MA. We used self-reported information to calculate generation and obesogenic behaviors (i.e. physical activity in past 7 days, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in past 7 days, and TV/computer/video game use on an average school day). Multivariable models were conducted to estimate the association between generation and obesogenic behaviors, adjusting for race/ethnicity, sex, age, family structure, and school.

Results: Relative to first generation youth, 1.5 generation (RR=1.74, 95% CI=1.10, 2.77) and second generation (RR=1.45, 95% CI=1.02, 2.07) youth were more likely to consume soda. Second (RR=1.60, 95% CI=1.20, 2.14) and third generation (RR=2.29, 95% CI=1.43, 3.65) youth were significantly more likely to consume other sugary drinks. Only third generation youth were more likely to watch ≥2 hours/day of TV when compared to first generation youth (RR=1.53, 95% CI=1.07, 2.18). No differences were seen by generation for levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or computer/video games.

Conclusions: Greater consumption of sugary drinks is seen across generation among adolescents. Sugary drinks, which are aggressively marketed to immigrant youth, may contribute to excess weight gain seen among foreign-born youth upon arrival in the United States.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Beverages
  • Boston
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Intergenerational Relations
  • Male
  • Obesity / etiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sedentary Behavior
  • United States