Eating behaviors, body image, perfectionism, and self-esteem in a sample of Portuguese girls

The purpose of the current study was threefold: a) to collect a very large representative sample of adolescents and assess for their levels of disordered eating behaviors; b) to describe the characteristics of adolescents with disordered eating behaviors in Cyprus based on the measures that were used in the study and c) to compare the adolescents with significant disordered eating behaviors (EAT-26 ≥ 20) to the ones without any disordered eating behaviors (EAT < 20) on all the variables of interest. A total of 2664 secondary school students responded to self-report measures assessing disordered eating, negative body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem and media influences. Results indicated that 16.04% of the overall sample of adolescents scored significantly on the EAT-26 (21.4% of females and 8.4% of males). Results also indicated that the majority of the adolescents with disordered eating behaviors were female, mainly from average socioeconomic status, normal Body Mass Index and grew up and reside in an urban area. Finally, adolescents in the disordered eating behaviors group scored significantly lower on appearance satisfaction and self-esteem and significantly higher on appearance investment, weight-related anxiety, situational dysphoria, internalization of the thin and athletic ideals as well as feeling pressured from the media and considering the media as a good source of information. In conclusion, results indicate a substantial difference in levels of disordered eating in adolescents as compared to previous research in Cyprus. Possible explanations are addressed as well as implications for prevention strategies and future research ideas based on the findings.

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The Impact of the CrossFit Environment on Women’s Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Eating Behaviors

International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches ◽

10.29034/ijmra.v12n1a2 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 78-95

Author(s):

Paige Coyne ◽

Sarah J. Woodruff

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Mixed Methods Research ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Research Study ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Multiple Linear Regressions ◽

Women's Body Image ◽

The Impact ◽

Linear Regressions

This mixed methods research study sought to investigate associations among women’s body image, self-esteem, and eating behaviors in the CrossFit environment within 5 affiliates (i.e., gymnasiums). Women (n = 149) completed surveys composed of open- and closed-ended items. Focused ethnographies were conducted at all affiliates. Multiple linear regressions revealed no differences between affiliates with respect to women’s body image, self-esteem, and eating behaviors. Conversely, thematic analysis of open-ended items and ethnographic observations revealed positive (e.g., community, food as fuel) and negative (e.g., self-comparison, restriction) influences on all psychosocial variables, with most themes reoccurring across all affiliates. Future researchers should seek to compare affiliates from different geographical/cultural regions.

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Relationships between body image dissatisfaction and BMI, self-esteem, and eating behaviors in a group of adolescent boys

Journal of Interpersonal Relations, Intergroup Relations and Identity ◽

10.33921/hdit4463 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 70-81

Author(s):

Guillaume Morin ◽

Dominique Meilleur

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Image ◽

Food Restriction ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Adolescent Boys ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Eating Concerns ◽

And Behaviors

Several researchers have suggested an association between body image dissatisfaction and weight, self- esteem and eating concerns in adolescent boys. However, studies on the topic are scarce and results are contradictory. The aim of the current study was to explore the relation between body image dissatisfaction and body mass index (BMI), self-esteem, food restriction and bulimic attitudes and behaviors in a group of 85 adolescent boys recruited through four high schools located in Montreal. A positive correlation was observed between body image dissatisfaction and food restriction. No significant associations were noted between body image dissatisfaction and BMI, self-esteem and bulimic attitudes and behaviors. The results of the present study suggest that BMI might not be an adequate indicator of adolescent boys’ body image dissatisfaction. Moreover, these results suggest that food restriction should be evaluated in adolescent boys dissatisfied with their body image.

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Examination of Self-Esteem, Body Image, Eating Attitudes and Cardiorespiratory Performance in Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182413172 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (24) ◽

pp. 13172

Author(s):

Peter Petrovics ◽

Alexandra Nagy ◽

Barbara Sandor ◽

Anita Palfi ◽

Zsolt Szekeres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Obesity And Overweight ◽

And Gender ◽

Eat 26 ◽

Run Test ◽

Uncontrolled Eating

Self-esteem, body image and eating attitudes are important characteristics regarding adolescent mental health. In our present work, we aimed to investigate these psychological items in adolescent boys and girls examining gender differences and correlations with the BMI-for-age and cardiorespiratory performance. 374 students (209 girls with an average age of 16.4 ± 1.08 years, and 165 boys with an average age of 16.5 ± 1.03 years) underwent investigation using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, EAT-26 and BAT questionnaires. The BMI-for-age was calculated with BMI growth charts and the cardiorespiratory performance was measured with the 20 m shuttle run test. Our results showed that adolescent girls scored lower self-esteem and higher values for BAT and each scale of eating behaviors, such as uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraints and emotional eating compared to boys despite the fact, that obesity and overweight were more common among boys. No significant correlation was found between BMI and psychological test results in either boys or girls, however, subjective body shape and gender predicted self-esteem and BAT scores and the cognitive restraints in the eating attitudes. Uncontrolled and emotional eating were primarily influenced by gender, in which BMI played only a weaker role. Cardiorespiratory performance was positively associated with self-esteem and body image among boys, and it had a negative correlation regarding BMI in both genders.

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