Pressure to be thin and insulin sensitivity: an investigation of the potential moderating role of race/ethnicity among adolescent girls at risk for type 2 diabetes
Date
2021
Authors
Rayne, Lauren E., author
Shomaker, Lauren, advisor
Riggs, Nathaniel, committee member
Brown, Samantha, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes is a significant public health issue in the United States that disproportionately affects historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups. Previous research suggests that psychosocial stress resulting from poor body image and weight-related pressure may be associated with worsened metabolic health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between pressure to be thin and insulin sensitivity in adolescent girls at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes, who are susceptible to weight-based criticism and pubertal declines in insulin sensitivity. This study also aimed to explore the extent to which this association was moderated by racial/ethnic identity. Participants were 92 girls, (46% Hispanic; 34% non-Hispanic White; M±SD age = 14.95 ± 1.82 y), who completed a self-report measure of pressure to be thin from friends, family members, and partners. Parents also reported pressure to be thin of their adolescents by questionnaire. At baseline, participants' body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) was calculated, fasting blood samples were acquired to calculate insulin sensitivity, and body composition was measured with air displacement plethysmography. In contrast to hypotheses, there were no main effects, or interactional effects by race, of either adolescent-reported or parent-reported pressure to be thin on insulin sensitivity (all p-values > .05). Results indicate that future research is warranted to identify culturally relevant psychosocial stressors for adolescents of color.