Participation in weight-loss behaviors among adolescents is widespread and considered epidemic, especially among adolescent girls. Weight control behaviors are an important public health problem not only because of their high prevalence, but also because of their potentially serious effects on health and psychological development. High prevalence rates of body dissatisfaction are also reported among national samples of adolescents. Whereas recent studies have illuminated high prevalence rates of weight control behaviors among adolescents, few studies have examined trends over time of these behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess prevalence rates of overweight perception and weight control behaviors among adolescents, and changes across age, gender and race categories over time. Data were secured from random samples of adolescents from the 1991-1999 South Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and analyzed using bivariate methods and linear regression. Weighted statistical procedures were performed using SAS version of SUDAAN. 26.3% adolescents overall responded that they perceive themselves as overweight, with females more likely than males, and whites more likely than blacks (p< .001). The percentages of overweight perception showed no significant linear trend from 1991 to 1999 among students overall or among sex, race, grade subgroups. 37.3% of the students overall engaged in weight control practices, with females were more likely than males, and whites more likely than blacks (p< .001). Across all race-gender categories, exercise was the most prevalent weight control method, followed by dieting, vomiting, laxatives and diet pills use. Significant linear trends in percentages of students trying to lose weight were found among students overall, males, blacks overall, black females, black males, and 10th graders. Significantly more students used dieting and exercise as weight control behaviors in 1999 than in 1995, and significantly lower percentages of students reported using diet pills, vomiting or laxatives. Classically associated with white females, weight control practices are now prevalent among other race/sex categories. Significant trends in the proportion of adolescents engaging in weight control methods were found even in the absence of significant increase over time in overweight perception. The study confirms that weight control behaviors are highly prevalent among adolescents and should be continually monitored. Programs for adolescents should emphasize the long-term adoption of healthy nutritional habits and physical activity behaviors rather than dieting.Keyword(s): gender issues, health promotion, youth-at-risk