青少年肥胖/過重變化與親密關係之相關性探討：7年的追蹤研究

Abstract

The practicum investigated longitudinal weight change patterns among Taiwanese adolescents over seven years, and the relationship of weight change patterns to romantic inexperience for both genders using a nationally representative panel survey in Taiwan. 1,834 adolescents from ninth grade to junior year of college was included. Individuals were divided into six weight change pattern categories based on changes in their body mass index: (a) maintained a normal weight, (b) changed from an underweight to a normal weight, (c) changed from either an overweight or obese to an underweight or normal weight, (d) changed from an underweight or normal weight to an overweight or obese weight, (e) maintained an overweight or obese, and (f) other change patterns. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between weight change patterns and romantic relationship status. Persistent obesity and a change from underweight to normal weight from late adolescence to young adulthood was independently associated with being romantically inexperienced in both males and females. Additionally, females but not males, who changed from underweight or normal weight to an overweight or obese weight also had significant odds of being romantically inexperienced. Findings suggest that individuals at risk for never having a romantic relationship may be identified via weight status. Adolescents with persistent obesity or becoming obese may require special support at school. Because of the importance of early intervention in altering psychosocial development, consistent weight monitoring is essential in identifying high-risk adolescents. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing persistent obesity early in life as it plays a crucial role in leading to a lack of a romantic relationship, which is a potential key indicator of stigmatization in interpersonal relationships that has not yet been previously investigated.