Substance Use and Obesity Trajectories in African Americans Entering Adulthood.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The transition to adulthood can be stressful for minority adolescents, and many may cope through unhealthy behaviors, including substance use and obesity-related behaviors. This study tested substance use and obesity trajectories over time in African American youth, longitudinal associations of trajectories with mental and physical health in adulthood, and whether self-control and sex predict trajectories.

Methods

Two longitudinal studies of 516 and 992 African American adolescents. In Study 1, substance use and obesity trajectories were assessed from ages 19 to 25 years. At age 25 years, internalizing and externalizing problems, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory biomarkers were measured. In Study 2, substance use and obesity trajectories were assessed from a

SUBMITTER: Chen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6246822 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature