Teasing and weight-control behaviors in adolescent girls.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the association between weight teasing, body satisfaction and weight control behaviors.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study based on adaptation and validity research of a North American questionnaire for adolescent girls about physical activity, nutrition, body image, perceptions, and behaviors. The variables used to conduct the study were weight control behaviors, body satisfaction and presence of teasing by family members. Descriptive analyses were carried out by chi-square test, being significant p<0.05.


RESULTS
A total of 159 adolescent girls, with 16.2±1.3 years old were enrolled in this study. Of the total, 60.1% reported that family members did not tease them. The teasing was associated with weight dissatisfaction (p<0.001), body shape (p=0.006), belly (p=0.001), waist (p=0.001), face (p=0.009), arms (p=0.014) and shoulders (p=0.001). As a consequence, there was association with unhealthy weight control behaviors (p<0.001), vomiting (p=0,011), diet (p=0.002) and use of laxatives (p=0.035).


CONCLUSIONS
The teasing about body image by family members was associated with risk for unhealthy weight control behaviors in female adolescents.
Faculdade de Saúde Pública, USP, São PauloSP, Brasil.
Ana Carolina B
AC
Leme
Faculdade de Saúde Pública, USP, São PauloSP, Brasil.
Sonia Tucunduva
ST
Philippi
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans