Unhealthy weight control behaviors and MDMA (Ecstasy) use among adolescent females
Portions of these analyses were presented at the American Public Health Association Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2004.
Received 30 July 2004; accepted 4 November 2004.
Abstract
Purpose
To estimate the prevalence of past year laxative use or vomiting weight control behaviors among adolescent females in the general population and to examine the relationship between these behaviors and substance use among adolescent females, with a specific focus on past year 3–4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (“Ecstasy”) use.
Methods
Secondary analyses were conducted using a nationally representative sample of females aged 12 to 17 years (n = 4292) from the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA). Logistic regression was used to examine bivariate relationships between past year laxative use or vomiting weight control behaviors and substance use and the multivariate relationship between unhealthy weight control behaviors and Ecstasy use.
Results
Approximately 10% of adolescent females had used laxatives or vomited to lose weight in the past year. Adolescent females who had used laxatives or vomited to lose weight in the past year were more likely than those who had not to have used substances during the past year, including Ecstasy, inhalants, nonmedical psychotherapeutics, marijuana, cigarettes, and alcohol. After controlling for demographics and other substance use, past year laxative use or vomiting weight control behaviors were positively associated with past year Ecstasy use (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.05, 3.14; p = 0.04).
Conclusion
Laxative use or vomiting weight control behaviors are a significant problem among the general population of adolescent females and are related to an increased risk of Ecstasy use.
Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Address correspondence to: Jessica D. Cance, M.P.H., Center for Interdisciplinary Substance Abuse Research, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194
ABSTRACT