Abnormalities in weight status, eating attitudes, and eating behaviors among urban high school students: correlations with self-esteem and anxiety.
OBJECTIVE
The study's objective was to determine the prevalence of abnormalities in weight, eating attitudes, and eating behaviors among an urban teenage population.


METHODS
Measures of weight, height, and blood pressure were obtained from 1,001 students attending regularly scheduled physical education classes in a New York City high school the population of which was 66% black and 23% Hispanic. The mean age was 16 years old; 55% were female and 45% were male. Approximately three quarters of the students completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a questionnaire on eating behaviors.


RESULTS
By percent ideal body weight (%IBW), 25% of students were obese (>20% above IBW), 18% were overweight, and 5% were underweight. Abnormal EAT scores (>21), were found in 6% of males and 15% of females. Students reported that they had engaged in the following nutritional behaviors at least three times in the past week: eating candy (59%), skipping breakfast (58%), skipping lunch (42%), eating fast foods (28%), and skipping dinner (14%). Self-esteem was high in 60%, medium in 21%, and low in 19%. Mean self-esteem was significantly higher (P < .0001) than established norms. Self-esteem and anxiety were inversely correlated (r = .40, P < .001), and low self-esteem and high anxiety were both associated with high EAT scores (r = .29, P < .001). Self-esteem and anxiety of obese students did not differ from those who were of normal weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Among this population of urban high school students there were: (a) a large number of overweight adolescents; (b) a significant subgroup with eating attitudes suggestive of an eating disorder; and (c) high levels of self-esteem and normal levels of anxiety, which were independent of weight status.
Pastore
D R
DR
Adolescent Health Centere, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10128, USA.
Fisher
M
M
Friedman
S B
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013851:Thinness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014504:Urban Health