Psychopathological Risk Factors Associated with Body Image, Body Dissatisfaction and Weight-Loss Dieting in School-Age Adolescents

Abstract

Determining the comorbidity patterns leading to suffering behavioural eating disorders (BED) that are identifiable in the early stages of life, can help prevent their becoming chronic, as well as preventing the consequences deriving from the cost and effectiveness of intervention programs. The paper focuses mainly on analysing the association between behavioural/emotional risk factors and body image, body satisfaction and diet in school children, as well as confirming whether there are differences based on sex. Several questionnaires (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and several items of Health Behaviour in School-age Children) including these variables were distributed and completed by the 647 adolescents (16 year olds on average) who took part in the research project. The findings confirmed a differentiated risk profile in adolescent girls in that they had greater prevalence of emotional symptoms as a general psychopathological trait, although this was offset with their prosocial behaviour. Additionally, the findings also allowed us to conclude that the factors that predict vulnerability to BEDs are sex, the presence of emotional symptoms and social and behavioural issues. At the end of this paper, we discuss some implications and consequences that should be taken into account for future work.

Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and Body Image in Adolescents

“…However, our study adds an important point of view concerning adolescents with thinness. Often wishing for a smaller body is typical in adolescents [ 36 ], but this seems to dependent on the BMI category as suggested before [ 34 ]. Thus, BMI should be taken into account when examining relationships with body image satisfaction, and further, planning strategies to improve it.…”

Introduction to the Special Issue on Eating Disorders and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

“…Finally, several articles, in different populations, analyze variables related to childhood obesity, eating problems or eating disorders. Variables such as social media and body esteem and their impact on adolescents are analyzed in the work of Yang et al [10], the role of psychopathological risk factors such as body image and dissatisfaction in school-age adolescents in the work of Cabaco et al [11], or the role of the mealtime environment and the control of food intake or feeding problems in the child development stage in the studies by Sdravou et al [12,13].…”