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Weight limits, estimations of future BMI, subjective pubertal timing and physical appearance comparisons among adolescent girls as precursors of disturbed eating behaviour in a community sample
Author(s) -
Berger Uwe,
Weitkamp Katharina,
Strauss Bernhard
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.898
Subject(s) - eating disorders , psychology , percentile , body mass index , developmental psychology , body weight , clinical psychology , association (psychology) , medicine , endocrinology , statistics , mathematics , psychotherapist
Abstract Objective From a clinical point of view, a high ‘objective’ BMI or an early biological onset of puberty are well‐known risk factors for eating disorders. In contrast, little is known about irrational beliefs and subjective meanings of body weight and pubertal timing. Method Mostly using standardised questionnaires, 136 girls with an average age of 12 years were asked to report their eating behaviour, (body) self‐esteem, body dissatisfaction, weight limits, estimations of future BMI, subjective pubertal timing and appearance‐related social comparisons. Results Results showed significant correlations between disturbed eating behaviour and the existence of a weight limit, which was reported by 45% of the girls. Twenty two per cent wished to have a future BMI beneath the 10th percentile. In terms of pubertal timing, girls who perceived themselves as either ‘early starters’ or ‘late starters’ reported significantly more risky eating behaviour. Conclusions Results are discussed with a focus on the psychotherapeutic use of our findings as well as the opportunity for the development of preventive strategies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.