title: An exploratory survey of eating behaviour patterns in adolescent students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Empirical research has always treated adolescents' eating habits from a variable-centered perspective, but this approach may miss the configurations of eating behaviours that uniquely describe discrete groups of individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate prototypical patterns of eating habits in a large sample of Italian adolescents and their behavioural and psychological correlates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were gathered from 1388 students (F=60%, mean age 14.90±1.34 yrs), who were asked to fill in an original questionnaire surveying dietary habits, body weight attitudes, body image, sport activities and sources of information about food. Perfectionism, self-esteem, self-efficacy and care for food were also assessed as well-known psychological risk factors for Eating Disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five prototypical eating behaviour patterns were identified through cluster analysis. Cluster membership was associated (p<0.05) with gender, age and age- and gender-correct BMI percentile, perceived relevance of physical appearance in achieving success in life; one's weight and body image evaluation, dieting, physical activity, self-efficacy, self-esteem and care for food. Clusters did not differ in perfectionism score and in frequency of consulting different sources of information about food and weight, except in the case of dieticians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The identification of prototypical eating habits patterns revealed a large range of wrong eating attitudes and behaviours among Italian adolescents. Such data suggest the need to develop and implement adequate prevention programs.
authors.affiliation: Centro Disturbi Alimentari, Genova, Italy. aga.ra@libero.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arata
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Battini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiorri
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Masini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010551:Personality; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires