Factors associated with weight concerns in adolescent girls

✍ Scribed by Taylor, C. Barr ;Sharpe, Tamara ;Shisslak, Catherine ;Bryson, Susan ;Estes, Linda S. ;Gray, Norma ;McKnight, Katherine M. ;Crago, Marjorie ;Kraemer, Helena C. ;Killen, Joel D.

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 142 KB
• Volume: 24
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0276-3478
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199807)24:1<31::aid-eat3>3.0.co;2-1

✦ Synopsis

Objective: This study examined the association of weight concerns with potential risk factors for the development of eating disorders. Method: A self-report survey was given to 103 elementary (Grades 4 and 5) and 420 middle (Grades 6-8) school students in Arizona and California. Of these, 78 elementary and 333 middle school students provided complete data and were used in the analyses. Results: In a multivariate stepwise regression analysis, the importance that peers put on weight and eating was most strongly related to weight concerns in the elementary school girls, accounting for 34% of the variance after adjusting for site differences. Trying to look like girls/women on TV and in magazines as well as body mass index (BMI) entered the final model that accounted for 57% of the variance in weight concerns. In middle school, the importance that peers place on weight and eating was also the strongest predictor accounting for 33% of the variance followed by confidence, BMI, trying to look like girls/women on TV and in magazines, and being teased about weight. Together these variables accounted for 55% of the variance. Discussion: Prevention programs aimed at reducing weight concerns need to address these factors.