Gender and weight concerns in early and middle adolescence: links with well-being and family characteristics
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
S M McHale1, D A Corneal, A C Crouter
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA. x2u@psu.edu
Abstract:
Studied sex and developmental differences in weight concerns in early and middle adolescence and links between concerns and adolescent well-being and family experiences. Participants were mothers, fathers, and older and younger siblings (Ms = 15 and 12.5 years, respectively) from 197, Caucasian, working-middle class, 2-parent families. Parents rated their gender role attitudes and adolescents rated their weight concerns, well-being, gender role orientations, and physical development. Girls reported more concerns than boys; body mass index (BMI) correlated with weight concerns for all youth. Controlling for BMI and pubertal status, weight concerns were linked to older girls' well-being; with physical characteristics controlled, mothers' gender attitudes explained older girls' weight concerns, and siblings' weight concerns explained those of older and younger girls and boys.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience

