Abstract
From a clinical point of view, a high 'objective' BMI or an early biological onset of puberty are well-known risk factors for eating disorders. In contrast, little is known about irrational beliefs and subjective meanings of body weight and pubertal timing. Mostly using standardised questionnaires, 136 girls with an average age of 12 years were asked to report their eating behaviour, (body) self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, weight limits, estimations of future BMI, subjective pubertal timing and appearance-related social comparisons. Results showed significant correlations between disturbed eating behaviour and the existence of a weight limit, which was reported by 45% of the girls. Twenty two per cent wished to have a future BMI beneath the 10th percentile. In terms of pubertal timing, girls who perceived themselves as either 'early starters' or 'late starters' reported significantly more risky eating behaviour. Results are discussed with a focus on the psychotherapeutic use of our findings as well as the opportunity for the development of preventive strategies.
References
May 1, 1979·Psychological Medicine·D M Garner, P E Garfinkel
Feb 10, 1988·Journal of Immunological Methods·B B Cohen
Jul 1, 1993·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·A C ChildressM P Jarrell
Jan 1, 1996·Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics·B Buddeberg-FischerC Buddeberg
Apr 1, 1997·Journal of Psychosomatic Research·E H WertheimS L Muir
Jun 1, 1999·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·J K ThompsonS M Stormer
Jun 16, 1999·Journal of Abnormal Psychology·S J PaxtonS L Muir
Sep 11, 2002·Psychological Bulletin·Eric Stice
Mar 26, 2003·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Kirsten Krahnstoever DavisonLeann L Birch
May 29, 2004·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·Julia A GraberPeter M Lewinsohn
Jun 30, 2005·Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, medizinische Psychologie·Uwe BergerBernhard Strauss
Sep 1, 2005·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Pamela G KronesKendra Orjada
Jun 1, 1985·Journal of Youth and Adolescence·A C Petersen, L Crockett
Citations
Dec 5, 2009·BMC Public Health·Jennifer Downing, Mark A Bellis
Sep 4, 2013·Hormones and Behavior·Kelly L Klump
Aug 4, 2012·Body Image·Sara H MitchellScott B Martin
Feb 7, 2015·Physiology & Behavior·Marie-Christine BraultWendy Craig
Aug 21, 2019·Nutrients·Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann, Brigitte Dahmen
Aug 29, 2019·Psychological Medicine·Elystan RobertsBecky Mars
May 28, 2019·Frontiers in Psychology·Leonie WilhelmSilja Vocks
Oct 7, 2020·Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences·Elystan RobertsBecky Mars