Personal Network Characteristics as Predictors of Change in Obesity Risk Behaviors in Early Adolescence. (17th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marks, Jennifer; de la Haye, Kayla; Barnett, Lisa M.; Allender, Steven
• Other Names: Modecki Kathryn Lynn guestEditor.; Goldberg Rachel E. guestEditor.; Ehrenreich Samuel E. guestEditor.; Russell Michael guestEditor.; Bellmore Amy guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of research on adolescence. Volume 29:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 710
• Page End: 723
• Publication Date: 2018-05-17
• Subjects: Adolescence -- Periodicals; 155.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jora.12407
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-8392

Abstract

Abstract : The potential for peers to influence obesity risk behavior increases in adolescence, yet there are knowledge gaps of how behaviors are modified in response to peers over time. This study examined how personal friendship network characteristics were associated with obesity‐related behaviors from late childhood to early adolescence. Two waves of friendship, physical activity, screen time, and dietary recall data were collected from 11‐ to 13‐year‐old students (99% retention) in Australia ( n = 308) over a five‐ to eight‐month period. Regression models identified friendship network characteristics that predicted later health behaviors which varied by gender and behavior type, such as the number of friends positively associated with physical activity intensity (males) and screen time (females). The need for considering context to influence behavior change is discussed.