title: Correlates of body dissatisfaction among Taiwanese adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to explore factors associated with body dissatisfaction among Taiwanese adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly selected from five high schools in Taipei County, Taiwan. A total sample of 883 adolescents aged 12-16 was included. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported weight and height. The Contour Drawing Rating Scale was used to assess body dissatisfaction. Other measurements included the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Evaluation (MBSRQ-AE), the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Eating Disorder Inventory-Perfectionism, the Socio-cultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-Internalization and SATAQ-Awareness), and physical activity. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed separately by gender to examine predictors of body dissatisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  girls reported significantly higher body dissatisfaction, awareness of the socio-cultural ideals (SATAQ-Awareness), as well as the internalization of those ideals (SATAQ-Internalization) and lower satisfaction with their physical appearance (MBSRQ-AE). This indicated that girls felt less positive with their overall appearance and had a higher level of recognition and endorsement of the social standards of appearance than boys. Satisfaction with physical appearance (MBSRQ-AE), BMI and internalization of socio-cultural ideals (SATAQ-Internalization) were unique predictors of body dissatisfaction for both genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  this study enhanced the understanding about body dissatisfaction in Eastern populations. Perceived physical appearance, BMI and internalization of the socio-cultural ideals predicted body dissatisfaction, which are evident in Taiwan, as well as in Western based research. However, these factors only explained a small variance in body dissatisfaction for boys, suggesting a need in identifying more factors related to body dissatisfaction among boys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Health Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-Jung
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Haase
authors.forename: Po-Wen
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Ku
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D012649:Self Concept; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology