Increased Body Mass Index Associated with Increased Risky Sexual Behaviors

The increasing prevalence of adolescent obesity has led to consideration of the potential effect of obesity on risky sexual behaviors. In the current study we examined whether body mass index (BMI) was related to age at sexual debut, type of sexual behavior, partner number, and condom use in a population of adolescent women at high risk for obesity and risky sexual behaviors.

BMI was positively associated with number of sexual partners and history of attempted anal intercourse. An inverse association was observed with age at first anal intercourse.

In this sample of adolescent women, increased BMI was associated with riskier sexual practices at a younger age. Results of this study suggest that overweight and obese adolescents are a vulnerable population who might need targeted sexual health counseling.

Via:  http://ht.ly/SaIuH 

By: Gordon LP1, Diaz A2, Soghomonian C2, Nucci-Sack AT2, Weiss JM2, Strickler HD3, Burk RD4, Schlecht NF3, Ochner CN5.

• 1The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
• 2The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
• 3Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
• 4Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Departments of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
• 5The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.