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Illegal Drug Use Linked With Abnormal Weight in Teens

by Thilaka Ravi on Nov 17 2011 1:05 PM

Both underweight and overweight teens were known to consume 20 to 40% more illegal drugs than their normal-weight peers in survey of over 33,000 Italian high school students.

 Illegal Drug Use Linked With Abnormal Weight in Teens
Both underweight and overweight teens were known to consume 20 to 40% more illegal drugs than their normal-weight peers in s survey of more than 33,000 Italian high school students.
Further analysis showed that the relationship between these two factors was largely mediated by psychosocial factors such as self-esteem, parents' educational level, and friendships.

Based on these results, the authors conclude that abnormal weight and substance abuse are not directly related in a cause-effect relationship, but instead are likely both due to common underlying social factors and dissatisfaction.

"Eating disorders have largely increased during the last decades, and obesity is a major public-health problem, especially since the phenomenon is spreading among children. Thus we believe that the results are important to better define targeted interventions", says Dr. Sabrina Moinaro.



Source-Eurekalert


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