Journal of Preventive Medicine

The Relationship between Adolescent Behavior and Adult Success

Introduction: The traits and characteristics learned and developed in childhood have lasting effects throughout life. However, it is unclear how these traits and characteristics impact individuals as adults. This study examined the impact of adolescent body image on three dimensions of adult success-romantic success, earnings success and health success. Methods: Body image was measured using an instrument created from survey questions concerning body size and desired weight change in adolescence. Using two waves of data from ADD Health, a structural equation model was used to assess the relationship between adolescent body image and adult success. Estimation accounts for the endogeneity of body image and success in the system, specifies variables related to the heteroscedasticity of the residuals, and controls for the way these variables are used to model the error. Genders and success parameters are estimated separately. Results: Body image varied significantly by race/ethnicity with blacks having better and Hispanics having worse body image than other groups. Health and BMI were negatively related to body image for both genders. Not surprisingly, adolescent body image was highly correlated with adult success. Adolescents with higher body image reported having better physical health, more stable relationships and higher earnings than those with low body image. While body image was significantly related to success for both genders, BMI appeared to be more deterministic for females than males. Physical health and household size played only a small role. Discussion and Conclusion: Results were consistent with expectations. Given that health and self-esteem were important drivers for adult success, it is important to establish mental and emotional well-being among all races and genders early in life.

Author(s):

Molly M Jacobs

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