Dieting, body weight, body image and self-esteem in young women: doctors' dilemmas.
Many young women feel that body image and exercise are important for their self-esteem, want to lose weight, are afraid they might gain weight, and feel fat. Interventions that improve self-esteem, encourage communication and help adolescents to be supportive of each other may prevent some of these women from developing eating disorders. If an eating disorder is suspected, it may be useful for physicians to ask about fear of loss of control over the body, eating, weight and shape; and preoccupation with food, eating, nutrition, body weight and shape, as these issues may differentiate those at greater risk.
Abraham
Suzanne F
SF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. sabraham@med.usyd.edu.au
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D015431:Weight Loss