A Latent Profile Analysis of Body Image and Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in Adolescent Boys

Adolescence is a risk period for body dissatisfaction which can contribute to eating disorder development. Given sex or gender differences in body image and disordered eating, it is critical to examine body image and eating concerns in adolescent boys and whether mindfulness is associated with body image and eating attitudes and behaviors in this population.

Self-report questionnaires on body image, mindfulness, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors were completed by 151 adolescent boys (M_age = 14.58 years, SD = 2.08; 51.7% White) from a rural western United States community. Body image patterns were evaluated utilizing latent profile analysis. Associations between body image, mindfulness, grade level, ethnicity, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors were examined.

The analyses yielded a four-profile model with "Satisfied" (52.1%), "Moderately Satisfied" (18.3%), "Satisfied & Weight Preoccupied" (15.5%), and "Unsatisfied & Weight Preoccupied" (14.1%) profiles. Profiles characterized by higher levels of overweight preoccupation showed more disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. Boys with greater mindfulness were more likely to belong to the "Satisfied" profile than the "Satisfied & Weight Preoccupied" profile.

Approximately 14% of the sample demonstrated clinically significant levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, highlighting the need to screen adolescent boys for these issues. Multiple body image profiles were identified, with certain profiles being associated with greater disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. Adolescent boys with greater mindfulness were more likely to have body image satisfaction, indicating a potential utility in incorporating mindfulness practices in disordered eating preventions and interventions for male youth.