Weight-related Behaviors Among U.s. Adolescents: A Social Network Approach
Open Access
- Author:
- La, Nhan Thanh
- Graduate Program:
- Health Policy and Administration
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- July 19, 2014
- Committee Members:
- Marianne Messersmith Hillemeier, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Marianne Messersmith Hillemeier, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Jonathan Rogers Clark, Committee Member
Steven Andrew Haas, Committee Member
D Wayne Osgood, Committee Member - Keywords:
- social network
adolescent
physical activity
sedentary behavior
eating behavior - Abstract:
- Background: Previous research indicates the considerable influence of peers on adolescents’ weight-related behaviors. However, a very few studies have examined both influence and selection processes in integrated network-based frameworks. Objectives: This dissertation investigates peer effects on physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and nutrition behaviors in social networks of adolescents. Methods: Data from students in a large high school from Wave 1 and Wave 2 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) were analyzed. The study sample included 762 focal students and 2517 dyadic friendships in Wave 1, and 623 focal students and 1903 dyadic friendships in Wave 2. All students were administered interviews in which they provided information on friend nominations, screen time behaviors, and other attributes. Stochastic-actor based models were used to simultaneously model peer influence and peer selection processes. Results: As described in Chapter 2, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of adolescents and their social connections were correlated up to three geodesic distances. Peer effects were significant for MVPA, perception of sleep quality and of being overweight. Perceptions of getting enough sleep and of being overweight partly accounted for peer influence in MVPA. Results in Chapter 3 revealed that male adolescents were influenced by male friends in TV viewing. Female adolescents were influenced by female friends in radio listening. There were no overall significant influences for both sexes. Findings in Chapter 4 showed that peers’ consumption of sugar-sweetened food significantly predicts adolescents’ intake of this food. No significant peer effects were found for dairy product, fruits, and vegetables, suggesting that peers influenced each other in selective eating behaviors. Discussion: The results of this dissertation provide support for incorporating network strategies into weight-related behavior interventions for adolescents, including greater involvement of peers and a focus on multiple determinants of these behaviors.