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Friends and social contexts as unshared environments: a discordant sibling analysis of obesity- and health-related behaviors in young adolescents

International Journal of Obesity volume 41, pages 569–575 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

This study examines the contribution of best friends’ weight and the peer social context (time spent alone versus with friends) as sources of unshared environment associated with variability in weight and health behaviors among weight-discordant siblings.

Methods:

Pairs of same-sex biologic siblings (N=40 pairs; ages 13–17) were originally recruited as part of a study evaluating putative factors contributing to differences in adiposity among weight-discordant siblings. Siblings were asked to bring their best friends to the laboratory and siblings and friends’ height and weight were objectively measured. Siblings also completed multi-pass dietary recalls to assess energy intake and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Siblings’ physical activity was measured using accelerometry. Experience sampling methodology was used to assess sedentary behaviors/screen time and the number of occasions siblings spent alone and in the presence of friends. Multilevel models were used to estimate the relationships between predictors (best friends’ zBMI, time spent alone or with friends) and outcomes (siblings’ zBMI and obesity-related health behaviors).

Results:

Best friends’ zBMI was the best predictor of participants’ zBMI, even when controlling for child’s birth weight. Best friends’ weight (zBMI) further predicted participants’ SSB intake and time engaged in sedentary behaviors. Being active with friends was positively associated with participants’ overall physical activity, whereas spending time alone was negatively associated with accelerometer counts regardless of siblings’ adiposity.

Conclusions:

A friends’ weight and the social context are unshared environmental factors associated with variability in adiposity among biologically-related weight-discordant siblings.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD064958) to James N Roemmich and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, USDA 3062-51000-51-00D. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the USDA or the Agricultural Research Service, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations imply endorsement from the US government. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. We wish to thank LuAnn Johnson, Statistician, USDA Agricultural Research Service for her assistance in reviewing Dr Salvy’s analytic plan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    S-J Salvy

  2. Pediatrics, Behavioral Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

    D M Feda & L H Epstein

  3. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks, ND, USA

    J N Roemmich

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  1. S-J Salvy
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Correspondence to S-J Salvy.

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Salvy, SJ., Feda, D., Epstein, L. et al. Friends and social contexts as unshared environments: a discordant sibling analysis of obesity- and health-related behaviors in young adolescents. Int J Obes 41, 569–575 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.213

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