Perceived Overweight, BMI, and Risk for Suicide Attempts: Findings from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Received 19 December 2008; accepted 4 March 2009. published online 18 May 2009.

Abstract

Among U.S. youth (N = 14,041), perceived (odds ratio [OR]adj. = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–1.72) and actual overweight (ORadj. = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07–1.60) were associated with suicide attempts in analyses controlling for demographic characteristics and potential confounders. There is a need to better understand associations between perceived and actual overweight and risk for suicide attempts and to develop appropriate strategies for prevention.

Keywords: Adolescent, Suicide attempt, Body composition, Overweight, Obesity, Body mass index

Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia

Address correspondence to: Monica H. Swahn, Ph.D., Institute of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302-3995.

PII: S1054-139X(09)00113-X

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.03.006

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