Testing a model of the predictors and consequences of body dissatisfaction.
A cross-sectional study, testing a model of predictors and consequences of body dissatisfaction, was undertaken in Taiwan from December 30, 2006 to January 10, 2007. Two hundred and thirty-two female college students enrolled at a major university completed the self-administered questionnaire. Analytical results revealed that body dissatisfaction among respondents increased with BMI (beta=.32, p<.001), perceptions of how others viewed their bodies (beta=.38, p<.001), and upward social comparisons (beta=.17, p<.01). Body dissatisfaction also markedly influenced respondent weight-loss intentions (beta=.51, p<.001). Results imply that medical, psychological and social factors must be considered by school health educators wishing to understand the causes and consequences of body dissatisfaction among female college students.
Lu
Hung-Yi
HY
Department of Communication & Graduate Institute of Telecommunications, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi 621, Taiwan. telhyl@ccu.edu.tw
Hou
Hsin-Ya
HY
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012928:Social Desirability; D012938:Social Perception; D013624:Taiwan; D015431:Weight Loss