Last month, medical researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina presented their findings of a new study on the relationship between weight and sexual behavior among teen girls. They found that teen girls who are considered overweight or obese are more likely than thinner teen girls to start having sex at a young age, to have multiple sexual partners, and to have sex without using condoms or other forms of contraceptives.
A survey that interviews middle and high school students across the United States about a wide range of topics. Of the study’s sample of 21,773 teen girls, the researchers found three key differences between girls classified as “normal weight” and those classified as “overweight” or “obese”:
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Six percent of normal weight girls had sex before the age of 13, while 11% of overweight girls and 15% of obese girls had sex before the age of 13.
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Thirty-nine percent of normal weight girls reported having three or more sexual partners during their teen years compared to 45% of overweight girls and 47% of obese girls.
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Overweight and obese girls were almost 20-30% less likely than thinner girls to use condoms or other forms of contraception.
Given the link between weight and the societal standard of beauty that favors skinny bodies over plus size bodies – some might find the study’s findings surprising: why are heavy girls having more sex with more partners? Researchers provide two possible explanations for the difference in sexual behavior among teen girls: development during puberty and self-esteem. The researchers suggest that overweight and obese girls may begin puberty sooner and thus develop faster, which may put them at risk from more pressure from boyfriends and friends to have sex.
The researchers also suggested that, due to the relationship between obesity and deflated self-esteem, plus-size girls may be more likely to feel unattractive. As a result, they may start having sex earlier to keep a partner, or they may not feel good enough about themselves to say “no” to sex or to enforce contraceptive use with a partner.
Daily Venus Diva -- Daily Venus Diva.
I think thats a bunch of BS…. More than likely its skinny females who tend to sleep around..because guys usually go for smaller females anyway. Then when they get horny and have no other choice thats when they have sex with US (plus size ladies)…!! Skinny females have self-esteem issues to.. From anorexia to thinking their to fat.!
I think it’s two fold and can work either way because bigger girls more likely feel they can’t compete with the skinny girls. Speaking from my experience it was the bigger girls who always got teased by the boys and if they did like you they were too afraid to show it publicly for fear there boys would clown them. I also believe low self esteem is at the forefront of this behavior more so than fat/skinny being the defining issue. When young girls have no examples of or role models of self love, standards with core values/morals than they have no confidence. If a guy will only show interests in you if you have sex than that’s not the guy for you. Girls in many areas aren’t shown how to command respect from guys or otherwise because it’s generally not the popular move or worse you catch more drama for thinking highly of yourself. It’s truly a lot of reasons this happens and weight is only apart of the issue and on the surface.
I think come of the finding are BS yes but I also think that its up to the parents to install in their children that they do NOT need to be part of a crowd that they can be an individual and that if you can’t like yourself for who you are then you can’t expect another to like you period.
One thing about research you can slant the numbers to fit your ideal in many cases and thus I do not trust single studies, now if I read multi studies on the same area and they are all coming up with the same information then its something to take a look into for further exploration.
The known facts are…
*Children are having sex younger and younger
*Many parents are not as involved with their kids as they where 10 even 20 years ago
If studies wont to point the finger at weight being an issue for early sex, alright point that finger but also point the finger at the parents and schools who are not teaching the kids to eat healthy, school systems which cut PE from the programs and a host of other issues that school boards face from lack of funds and parents lack when it comes to being able to help their kids achieve a good self view and a healthy lifestyle.
The values of our society have changed drastically the last few decades and a lot of those changes are contributing factors to weight gain and changes in “moral” values (sex). It’s important to remember that being heavier than someone is not the equivalent of being unhealthy. EVERYONE is at risk for disease and ailments because of the foods we eat; what and how we eat is also a transgression of the changes that have occurred in society.
In regards to the article, I’m not surprised. Because of the greater consumption of hormone-infested foods in plus size women, yes, development at a younger age is a factor. Not only do these girls look older, they act or are expected to act older. Such changes in the body also lead to an attack of one’s self-esteem as these girls are taunted for their changes- “fat” being the word of choice to express others’ disgust. Girls with low self-esteem are easier to coerce to do things in order to be accepted. Teenage girls especially are gullible when it comes to terms of popularity, not just amongst their peers but with the opposite sex. This goes hand-in-hand with the study as they are more likely to have sex at a younger age and also consent to risky sexual behavior because they aren’t in a position of power to request protection.
I don’t know about this issue, I can see where they’re coming from, but at the same time it’s like no, not only obese girls are having sex. I can see their reasoning, how they are less confident and such, but there are so many variables, I can see where this topic can get out of hand. A lot of women would say BS to this topic, and it’s totally understandable.