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Dr. Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
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Obese and overweight girls more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors compared to normal weight girls according to a recent study. It’s not the first time this has been shown to be true and here are the details.
Previous studies have shown that overweight and obese adolescent females are more likely than their normal weight peers to have intercourse before age 13, are more likely to have multiple sexual partners, and are less likely to use contraception.
A new national study looked at girls according to their weight and placed them in either the overweight or obese category, then divided them in to two categories of self-esteem (normal or low.) Of girls who were overweight or obese 37% reported having sexual intercourse. Of those who reported having intercourse, 76% reported being over age 13 at the time. Overweight and obese females were more likely to have sexual intercourse before age 13, become pregnant, and less likely to use oral contraception regularly.
A troublesome finding was that obese females were 2 times more likely to have been forced to have sex, compared with their normal weight peers. When asked about their motivations to engage in sex, a significantly higher proportion of overweight and obese females, compared with their normal weight peers, chose the response option “your friends would respect you more.”
When asked about their motivations to use birth control, a significantly higher proportion of overweight and obese females, compared with their normal weight peers, chose the response options “birth control is too much of a hassle to use” and “it is hard to get a boy to use birth control with you.”
What can we learn from this?
- Dr. O
Previous studies have shown that overweight and obese adolescent females are more likely than their normal weight peers to have intercourse before age 13, are more likely to have multiple sexual partners, and are less likely to use contraception.
A new national study looked at girls according to their weight and placed them in either the overweight or obese category, then divided them in to two categories of self-esteem (normal or low.) Of girls who were overweight or obese 37% reported having sexual intercourse. Of those who reported having intercourse, 76% reported being over age 13 at the time. Overweight and obese females were more likely to have sexual intercourse before age 13, become pregnant, and less likely to use oral contraception regularly.
A troublesome finding was that obese females were 2 times more likely to have been forced to have sex, compared with their normal weight peers. When asked about their motivations to engage in sex, a significantly higher proportion of overweight and obese females, compared with their normal weight peers, chose the response option “your friends would respect you more.”
When asked about their motivations to use birth control, a significantly higher proportion of overweight and obese females, compared with their normal weight peers, chose the response options “birth control is too much of a hassle to use” and “it is hard to get a boy to use birth control with you.”
What can we learn from this?
1. Overweight and obese adolescent females should be considered a vulnerable population.Thoughts?
2. Physicians and parents should spend time exploring their thoughts about themselves, their peers, and their decisions to engage in sexual behaviors.
3. It is our job to give accurate information, screen for and treat sexually transmitted infections, provide contraception, and encourage parental involvement.
- Dr. O
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Girls who are overweight or otherwise self conscious about their appearance may take more risks because their confidence and instincts for self-preservation are compromised by the fact that society tells them they don't deserve sexual enjoyment because they don't fit the template of a "sexy" person. This is a terrible shame. I do believe that girls of all appearance types can be capable of feeling good about and in control of their sexuality depending on the environment in which they are raised as well as community standards.
I think the issue with overweight girls is that they believe they won't have another opportunity, because they are not desirable. It's not true but it's hard to argue that point, because one's perspective as a teen is so limited, but wow, if you're willing to let a guy have sex with you without a condom in the first place, at least use oral contraceptives. If you're willing to risk getting an STD, don't make it a complete disaster by also getting pregnant.
Not only overweight people get involved in this to *prove* to themselves before others that they are *accepted*. Many others get in this trap too.
I used to belong to Overeaters Annoymous. I was so frustrated that I could be overweight but do not discuss the abuse. Even in the 21st century a recovery group will not see the connection to excess weight and sexual trauma. There is a connection to weight and sexually acting out.