Factors associated with weight concerns in adolescent girls.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the association of weight concerns with potential risk factors for the development of eating disorders.


METHODS
A self-report survey was given to 103 elementary (Grades 4 and 5) and 420 middle (Grades 6-8) school students in Arizona and California. Of these, 78 elementary and 333 middle school students provided complete data and were used in the analyses.


RESULTS
In a multivariate stepwise regression analysis, the importance that peers put on weight and eating was most strongly related to weight concerns in the elementary school girls, accounting for 34% of the variance after adjusting for site differences. Trying to look like girls/women on TV and in magazines as well as body mass index (BMI) entered the final model that accounted for 57% of the variance in weight concerns. In middle school, the importance that peers place on weight and eating was also the strongest predictor accounting for 33% of the variance followed by confidence, BMI, trying to look like girls/women on TV and in magazines, and being teased about weight. Together these variables accounted for 55% of the variance.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention programs aimed at reducing weight concerns need to address these factors.
Taylor
C B
CB
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5722, USA.
Sharpe
T
T
Shisslak
C
C
Bryson
S
S
Estes
L S
LS
Gray
N
N
McKnight
K M
KM
Crago
M
M
Kraemer
H C
HC
Killen
J D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D003625:Data Collection; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept