520 - Differences in Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors among Younger and Older Adolescents at-risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Poster Number: 520
Publication Number: 520.107

Yannan LI, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Jersey City, NJ, United States; Hui Xie, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE, san francisco, CA, United States; Cordelia R. Elaiho, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Bian Liu, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Nita Vangeepuram, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States

Background: The risk of type 2 diabetes has been rising among youth, especially those from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. Adolescence is characterized by significant cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional changes that can impact lifestyle behaviors and diabetes risk. However, few studies have examined differences in diet and physical activity behaviors, and factors that impact these behaviors, between younger and older adolescents.  

Objective: To compare lifestyle behaviors and determinants of these behaviors (including social influences) between younger and older overweight/obese adolescents at-risk for diabetes.  

Design/Methods: We used data from a randomized controlled trial of a diabetes prevention intervention among racial/ethnic minority youth in East Harlem, New York City. We examined differences in baseline characteristics including lifestyle behaviors (and factors which may impact these behaviors) between younger (age 13-15)  and older (age 16-19) adolescents using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results: Among the 145 overweight/obese adolescents, 49.0% were 13-15 years, 69.7% were of Hispanic/Latino/a descent, and 24.8% were non-Hispanic Black (Table 1). Compared to the younger adolescents, older adolescents had lower dietary and physical activity self-efficacy, more perceived barriers to healthy eating, and more symptoms of depression  (Table 2). Older adolescents were also more likely to report less availability of healthy foods and more availability of unhealthy foods in their homes. When asked about social influences, older adolescents reported less social support from friends and family to make healthy food choices than younger adolescents and were twice as likely to report that their families make comments about other people's weight (Table 3).Conclusion(s): Compared to younger teens, older adolescents may face more behavioral challenges and social barriers that put them at increased risk for diabetes. These age-related differences in behavioral and social factors should be considered in youth diabetes prevention and control efforts and strategies may need to be tailored based on age to address barriers and facilitators for healthy eating and active living.
Table 1. Demographic Characteristics
Table 2. Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors and Behavioral Determinants by Age Group