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Adolescent concerns about weight and eating; a social-development perspective
1Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Childhood weight concerns are prevalent, particularly in girls, starting as early as age 11. Socioeconomic status and ethnicity influence these concerns, with white girls from higher socioeconomic backgrounds showing greater weight preoccupation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Public Health Nutrition
- Childhood Development
Background:
- Childhood obesity and related psychological distress are growing public health concerns.
- Understanding early-onset weight concerns is crucial for timely intervention.
- Socioeconomic and ethnic factors may influence body image and eating behaviors in youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate attitudes towards weight and eating in a diverse group of children.
- To examine the influence of age, socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnicity on weight concerns.
- To compare dieting behaviors in children with North American samples.
Main Methods:
- Interview-based study involving 846 children from multicultural schools.
- Schools represented diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Data collected on attitudes toward weight, eating behaviors, and dieting.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of girls expressed concerns about their weight and desired to lose weight.
- Weight concerns were nearly as high in 11-year-olds as in 18-year-olds, indicating early onset.
- White girls and girls from higher SES schools reported greater weight concerns and dieting, despite being slimmer.
Conclusions:
- Weight concerns emerge early in childhood, necessitating proactive strategies.
- Socioeconomic status and ethnicity are significant factors in childhood weight preoccupation.
- Findings highlight a need for culturally sensitive interventions addressing body image in children.