Eating habits, body-esteem and self-esteem in Scottish children and adolescents.
Two hundred ninety-nine girls, from primary school grade 6 to senior school grade 4 classes in a Scottish, independent, single-gender school completed three questionnaires assessing body-esteem, self-esteem, and eating behavior. The aim of the study was threefold: to see whether there was a significant increase in more abnormal eating habits during adolescence; to see whether there was a significant decline in body-esteem during adolescence; and to see whether there was any association between eating habits, body-esteem, and self-esteem. The results provided some evidence in support of the first two hypotheses and also indicated a strong association between a low level of self-esteem and dislike of body shape, and an abnormal pattern of eating. The risks and implications of dieting in this age group are also discussed.
Hoare
P
P
Child & Family Mental Health Service, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK. P.Hoare@ed.ac.uk
Cosgrove
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires