The Relationship Between Body Image Concerns and Weight-Related Behaviours of Adolescents and Emerging Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review investigates evidence on the association between body image concerns and weight-related behaviours of adolescents and emerging adults. It includes peer-reviewed journal articles reporting research involving body image concerns and weight-related behaviours of adolescents and emerging adults, published between 2005–2017, and located through systematic searches from four databases. This review includes studies from 11 countries or regions: United States (n = 13), Asia (n = 9), Europe (n = 8), Middle East (n = 3), South America (Brazil; n = 3), Canada (n = 3), Australia (n = 1), New Zealand (n = 1), Trinidad (n = 1), Turkey (n = 1) and Seychelles (n = 1); 24 different countries (n = 1); three Asian countries and the United States (n = 1). Out of 46 studies included in this review, 45 studies reported a positive association between body image concerns and weight-related behaviours. Adolescents and emerging adults who misperceived their weight engaged in weight-related behaviours. Higher body dissatisfaction had a significant association in the development of eating disorders and extreme weight-loss behaviours. Body image concerns play a significant role in adolescents and emerging adults engaging in weight-related behaviours. Experimental research designs are required to determine the causality of this association. Evidence strongly suggests policy makers and public health practitioners contemplate strategies to promote positive body image and healthy weight-related behaviours among adolescents and emerging adults.

Body Dissatisfaction as a Mediator between Identity Formation and Eating Disorder Symptomatology in Adolescents and Emerging Adults

“…Second, we hypothesized that identity disturbance and lack of identity would positively predict body dissatisfaction, whereas identity consolidation would negatively predict body dissatisfaction (Kamps & Berman, 2011; Nelson et al, 2018;Vartanian et al, 2018;Verstuyf et al, 2014;Wängqvist & Frisén, 2013). Third, we hypothesized that body dissatisfaction would positively predict ED symptomatology (Brausch & Muehlenkamp, 2014;Shagar et al, 2017;Stice, 2002). Combining our different expectations, we propose that the relationship between identity formation and ED symptomatology would be mediated by body dissatisfaction.…”

“…Individuals who experience body dissatisfaction wish to have body characteristics that are different from how they perceive their body, resulting in negative affect (Cash & Smolak, 2011). Body dissatisfaction in adolescents and emerging adults (and especially in females) is so highly prevalent that it is thought to be the norm rather than the exception (Rodin, Silberstein, & Striegel-Moore, 1984;Shagar, Harris, Boddy, & Donovan, 2017).…”

Examining the role of social physique anxiety on the relationship between physical appearance comparisons and disordered eating symptoms among Spanish emerging adults

“…However, the research conducted by Alcaraz-Ib añez et al (2020) was limited to adolescent participants and does not allow the generalization of the mediating effect of SPA on the relationship between PAC and DE to other populations particularly sensitive to experience both body-related concerns and DE. A clear example of the latter would be emerging adults (Shagar, Harris, Boddy & Donovan, 2017). This limitation is important in the light of evidence suggesting that the relationship between subjective experiences of the body and their potential outcomes may not occur equally across all developmental stages (Patalay, Sharpe & Wolpert, 2015;Sharpe, Patalay, Choo, Wall, Mason, Goldschmidt & Neumark-Sztainer, 2017).…”

Review of Mindfulness-Related Interventions to Modify Eating Behaviors in Adolescents

“…Furthermore, youth who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience weight-related stigma and body-based bullying by their peers [6]. Weight-related bullying and negative conversations about body-related issues have been found to significantly impact adolescents' body satisfaction and eating behaviors, and have ultimately been associated with increased risk for the development of eating disorders [7].…”