Summary
Increasing body weight among multiracial young women has become a national health disparity. Few research studies explore plans focused upon after high school. Therefore, authors study the relationship between differing body weights (as measured by age adjusted body mass index percentiles) and plans after high school for 1,962 adolescent women using the 2003 California Health Interview Survey data.
Findings: Significant differences existed between adjusted BMI figures and racial background. Authors found significant differences for age, receiving food stamps, general good physical health, some physical activity, and identifying a role model as influencing plans after high school. Increasing role models for overweight African American young women might decrease the disparity in future goal setting.
