Weight limits, estimations of future BMI, subjective pubertal timing and physical appearance comparisons among adolescent girls as precursors of disturbed eating behaviour in a community sample.
OBJECTIVE
From a clinical point of view, a high 'objective' BMI or an early biological onset of puberty are well-known risk factors for eating disorders. In contrast, little is known about irrational beliefs and subjective meanings of body weight and pubertal timing.


METHODS
Mostly using standardised questionnaires, 136 girls with an average age of 12 years were asked to report their eating behaviour, (body) self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, weight limits, estimations of future BMI, subjective pubertal timing and appearance-related social comparisons.


RESULTS
Results showed significant correlations between disturbed eating behaviour and the existence of a weight limit, which was reported by 45% of the girls. Twenty two per cent wished to have a future BMI beneath the 10th percentile. In terms of pubertal timing, girls who perceived themselves as either 'early starters' or 'late starters' reported significantly more risky eating behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are discussed with a focus on the psychotherapeutic use of our findings as well as the opportunity for the development of preventive strategies.
Berger
Uwe
U
Institute of Psychosocial Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany. uwe.berger@uni-jena.de
Weitkamp
Katharina
K
Strauss
Bernhard
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D011627:Puberty / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology