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Sociodemographic and psychological correlates of actual and desired weight insufficiency in the general population
Author(s) -
Kishchuk Natalie,
Gag Gilbert,
Bélisle Denis,
Laurendeau MarieClaire
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(199207)12:1<73::aid-eat2260120110>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - underweight , body mass index , population , psychology , distress , logistic regression , public health , overweight , clinical psychology , psychiatry , demography , medicine , environmental health , pathology , sociology , nursing
A secondary analysis of data from a survey of physical and mental health in the general population was conducted in order to identify sociodemographic and psychological correlates of actual and desired weight insufficiency. In multiple logistic regression analyses, characteristics of respondents whose actual weight, desired weight, or both was insufficient according to Body Mass Index categories were compared to characteristics of respondents whose actual or desired weight was sufficient. Results showed a strong resemblance between weight insufficiency and pre‐clinical eating disorders: those of insufficient actual and/or desired weight tended to be younger, female, and to manifest considerable psychological distress, as measured by the Psychiatric Symptom Index and a General Well‐Being Schedule. Desired weight insufficiency was more important in this pattern than was actual weight, as those whose current weight was sufficient but who desired an insufficient weight had greater distress and suicidal ideation and attempts. These results, along with the high prevalence of both desired and actual weight insufficiency, underscore the importance of underweight as a public health problem.