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Dieting behavior and eating attitudes in children
M J Maloney1, J McGuire, S R Daniels
1Department of Child Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229.
Pediatrics
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Young children exhibit concerning dieting behaviors and attitudes, with many wanting to be thinner or attempting weight loss. Early identification of these behaviors is crucial for preventing eating disorders like anorexia nervosa.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Eating disorder research
Background:
- Adolescents and young adults show high rates of dieting and abnormal eating behaviors.
- The early onset of eating disorders is not well-documented due to a lack of studies in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of dieting behaviors and eating attitudes in young children.
- To identify potential predictors of disordered eating in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 318 children (grades 3-6) from two middle-income schools.
- Utilized a children's version of the Eating Attitudes Test and a dieting questionnaire.
- Employed univariate and multiple regression analyses to identify predictive factors.
Main Results:
- 45% of children desired to be thinner; 37% had attempted weight loss.
- 6.9% of children scored within the anorexia nervosa range.
- Specific questionnaire items accurately predicted Eating Attitudes Test scores (P < .05).
Conclusions:
- Young children demonstrate preoccupation with dieting and atypical eating attitudes.
- Focusing on early dieting behaviors may improve early identification of children at risk for anorexia nervosa.
- Intervention strategies could be enhanced by addressing early-onset dieting behaviors.