title: Testing a model of the predictors and consequences of body dissatisfaction.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication & Graduate Institute of Telecommunications, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi 621, Taiwan. telhyl@ccu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Hung-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Hsin-Ya
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Hou
mesh_terms: 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