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Normative developmental challenges and dieting and eating disturbances in middle school girls
Author(s) -
Levine Michael P.,
Smolak Linda,
Moodey Anne F.,
Shuman Melissa D.,
Hessen Laura D.
Publication year - 1994
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(199401)15:1<11::aid-eat2260150103>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - dieting , psychology , normative , developmental psychology , eating attitudes test , subclinical infection , eating disorders , clinical psychology , medicine , obesity , endocrinology , weight loss , philosophy , epistemology
Three predictions based on Levine and Smolak's (1992) developmental model of dieting and eating disturbances were tested: (1) Changes in pubertal status and/or dating status increase the probability of no pathological dieting in middle school girls; (2) concurrent change in pubertal status, dating status, and academic stress increases the probability of sub clinical eating disturbances in girls with a slender body ideal; and (3) the co‐occurrence of modeling cues and direct messages from peers and/or family about the importance of weight, shape, and dieting increases the probability of these effects. Three hundred eighty‐two girls were asked about menarcheal status, dating status, and academic stress, as well as attitudes about shape, eating behavior, and perceptions of peer and family pressures for slenderness. Results confirmed several of the predictions, suggesting that the interaction among cumulative developmental changes in early adolescence, adherence to a slender body ideal, and sociocultural pressures for thinness may be useful in distinguishing middle schoolers at risk for subclinical eating disturbances from both girls who do not diet and girls whose dieting is or will be “normative.” © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.