Unhealthy Weight Management Practices and Non-medical Use of Prescription Drugs

Introduction Non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. With approximately one in five high school students engaging in NMUPD, it is important to understand behavioral correlates. Methods Data were combined from the 2011 and 2013 cycles of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey. After restricting the analytic sample to students who reported a weight loss goal of either staying the same weight or losing weight, logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% CIs for associations between unhealthy weight management practices (UWMPs) and lifetime NMUPD. Individual UWMPs—fasting; taking diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctor’s advice; and vomiting or taking laxatives—and total number of UWMPs were examined. Data were analyzed in 2016. Results UWMPs were more prevalent among female students (21.1% vs 10.7% for fasting; 7.5% vs 5.2% for taking diet pills, powders, or liquids; and 7.6% vs 3.2% for vomiting or taking laxatives). Significant associations between individual UWMPs and NMUPD and between the number of UWMPs and NMUPD were observed. Discussion UWMPs were associated with NMUPD. Health educators in the school setting, as well as other health professionals who provide services to an adolescent population, can focus on healthy weight management strategies, and other substance-specific messages. Conclusions The association between UWMPs and NMUPD may reflect a constellation of problem behaviors exhibited among some adolescents.