The relationship between eating behaviours, body image and BMI status among adolescence age 13 to 17 years in Meru, Klang, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how body image, Body Mass Index (BMI), and eating attitudes were related among adolescence age 13 to 17 years old. The samples were made up of 356 adolescents, where 165 (46.3%) were male while 191(53.7%) were female. Body image was assessed using the Figure Rating Scale (Stunkard et al., 1983), BMI was calculated based on measures of height and weight, and eating behaviour was assessed using Eating Behaviour Patterns Questionnaire (EBPQ). This study has contributed to the knowledge on the relationship between eating behaviour, body image, and BMI among adolescence age 13 to 17 years old. This study found that, for relationship between eating behaviour and BMI status, only snacking and convenience as well as emotional eating is associated with BMI status. While for relationship between eating behaviour and body image, only body image perception was found to be associated with emotional eating. For relationship between body image and BMI status, body image perception was found to be associated with BMI status. Male adolescents were more prone to be affected by snacking and convenience as well as cultural and lifestyle. Male adolescents were prone to be affected by body image. Gender did not have an effect on BMI status. This study underlines the importance of being aware of the relationships between body image, BMI, and eating behaviour.

Socio-Demographic Factors and Body Image Perception Are Associated with BMI-For-Age among Children Living in Welfare Homes in Selangor, Malaysia

“…Likewise, Ozmen et al [53] indicated that boys desired a larger body size. Furthermore, the association between body shape dissatisfaction and obesity was found in several studies in Malaysia [48,54,55]. Meanwhile, the present findings showed that there was an association between respondents under-estimating their body weight status and overweight and obese status.…”

Validity, Reliability and Feasibility of the Eating Behavior Pattern Questionnaire (EBPQ) among Iranian female students

“…5 In this study we used the preliminary version of this questionnaire from UtahState University. 16 This questionnaire consists of 51 selfreport items on healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors. Every item was rated in a 5-point Likertscale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.…”

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de alimentación saludable e índice de masa corporal en adolescentes peruanos: Un estudio transversal

“…Por otro lado, se encontró correlación positiva entre en el IMC/Edad y los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas acerca de la alimentación saludable en los adolescentes. Nuestros resultados son similares con hallazgos encontrados en otros estudios 15,22,[27][28][29] . Efectivamente, tener un conocimiento adecuado, actitudes favorables y prácticas alimentarias adecuadas podría jugar un papel importante en la mejora los hábitos alimenticios en los adolescentes 28 .…”

“…Nuestros resultados son similares con hallazgos encontrados en otros estudios 15,22,[27][28][29] . Efectivamente, tener un conocimiento adecuado, actitudes favorables y prácticas alimentarias adecuadas podría jugar un papel importante en la mejora los hábitos alimenticios en los adolescentes 28 . Además, esto podría influir de manera positiva en la selección de alimentos saludables y, en consecuencia, favorecer un estado nutricional adecuado.…”