Abstract
Body image and weight loss beliefs and behaviors were assessed in 341 female and 221 male high school students. Estimates of body dissatisfaction varied depending on the measurement strategy used. Despite having similar weight distributions around the expected norm, girls were significantly more dissatisfied with their bodies than boys. Body Mass Index was positively related to body dissatisfaction in girls and boys, while higher exercise levels were related to higher body satisfaction in boys. Nearly two-thirds of girls and boys believed being thinner would have an impact on their lives, but the majority of girls believed this would be positive while the majority of boys believed this would be negative. Thirteen percent of female subjects reported using one or more extreme weight loss behavior at least weekly. Beliefs regarding the effectiveness of different weight loss measures were assessed. Weight loss behaviors in this Australian sample appear similar to comparable U.S. samples.
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Received Ph.D. from University of Tasmania. Main research interest in body image, weight loss behaviors, and eating disorders.
Received Ph.D. from University of Connecticut. Main research interest in body image, eating disorders and weight loss behaviors.
Dietitian degree from Melbourne University, Melbourne. Main research interest in eating practices and clinical outcome.
M.D. from University of Melbourne, D.P.M. from U.K. FRC Psych. Main research interests in eating disorders.
B.B.Sc.(Hons.) received from La Trobe University, Melbourne, B.A. received from University of Minnesota, Duluth. Main research interest in attitudes and attributions.
B.A. Received from University of Minnesota, Duluth. Main research interest in adolescence and eating disorders.
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Paxton, S.J., Wertheim, E.H., Gibbons, K. et al. Body image satisfaction, dieting beliefs, and weight loss behaviors in adolescent girls and boys. J Youth Adolescence 20, 361–379 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537402
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537402