Weight Strain and Binge Drinking among Adolescents

Abstract

Obesity and substance use are two common areas of research among adolescents. Interestingly, very little research examines the relationship between these two important health risk behaviors and the findings are inconsistent. Guided by Agnew’s general strain theory and using the Add Health data, we examine this neglected area of research. The current research has identified a link between weight strain and binge drinking and is supportive of the extant research on both general strain theory and the links between stigma, stress, and health. We also found some evidence that this relationship was gendered. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jason A. Ford

JASON A. FORD, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Central Florida. His research interests include substance use among adolescents and young adults and also the factors related to stability and change in crime and deviance over the life course.

Ryan D. Schroeder

RYAN D. SCHROEDER is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Louisville. His research interests include criminal desistance processes, family functioning, emotional development, health, and religiosity.

Hilary M. Dotson

HILARY M. DOTSON, M.A., is a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Sociology at the University of South Florida. Her research interests include the sociology of health and illness, social inequality, family processes and interpersonal relationships among children, adolescents, young adults.