title: Body image dissatisfaction among adolescent schoolgirls in Jordan.
abstract: The present study has investigated the occurrence of body image dissatisfaction among adolescent schoolgirls in Amman, Jordan, and the risk factors that are known to predispose it including individual, familial and social variables. A sample of 326 adolescent girls aged 10-16 years was recruited from public and private schools in Amman. Participants completed a socio-demographic data sheet, eating attitude test, and body shape questionnaire. Approximately, 21.2% of participants displayed body image dissatisfaction in which physical changes associated with puberty and exhibiting negative eating attitudes were associated with this dissatisfaction. Additionally, mass media messages, as well as peers and family pressures towards thinness were associated with participants' preoccupation with their body image. In conclusion, negative body image perception was observed in the present sample. Therefore, well-controlled prospective studies and development of intervention programs on body image among adolescent girls in Jordan are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Jordan, Alal Al-Fasi Street, P.O. Box 960364, Amman 11196, Jordan. mousa_tamara@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Tamara Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Mousa
authors.forename: Rima H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mashal
authors.forename: Hayder A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Al-Domi
authors.forename: Musa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jibril
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011627:Puberty / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012922:Social Change; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population