Risky Eating Behaviors and its association with excess weight in adolescents from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Risky Eating Behaviors (REB) are manifestations similar to eating disorders, however, they occur with less frequency and intensity and generally develop during adolescence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of REB and its relationship with excess weight in high school students from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Material and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional observational design. A total of 268 adolescents between 12 and 15 years old were included. The Brief Questionnaire of Risky Eating Behaviors (CBCAR) was used to determine the prevalence of CAR. Excess weight was identified considering the references established by the WHO of the Z-scores of the body mass index for age (BMI/ E) by sex. The qualitative variables were analyzed using Chi-square. The association analysis was performed using Poisson regression with robust variance in the statistical package STATA v. 14. Results: 8.6% of the adolescents presented a high risk of CAR, being more prevalent in women without showing statistically significant differences. Concern about gaining weight was higher in women (p<0.001) compared to men. Overweight and obesity were significantly associated with the presence of CAR; (PR=1.55; 95%CI: 1.03-2.32) and (PR= 2.79; 95%CI: 1.75-4.44) respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of high risk of CAR in the study population was higher than previously reported, being more prevalent in women. In addition, high BMI was significantly associated with the presence of CAR, therefore, it is important to generate interventions for weight control that include biopsychosocial aspects to prevent risk behaviors among adolescents.