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Dieting in adolescence: An application of the theory of planned behaviour
Author(s) -
Conner Mark,
Martin Eleanor,
Silverdale Natalie,
Grogan Sarah
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8287.1996.tb00512.x
Subject(s) - dieting , psychology , overweight , developmental psychology , theory of planned behavior , affect (linguistics) , body weight , body mass index , social psychology , obesity , weight loss , medicine , endocrinology , control (management) , management , communication , economics
This study examined self‐reported height and weight, self/body esteem, current‐ideal body figure discrepancy, dietary restraint, intentions to diet and underlying beliefs based upon the theory of planned behaviour in 128 11‐year‐olds (61 boys, 67 girls) and 103 13–14‐year‐olds (52 boys, 51 girls). Overall the sample showed low levels of restraint and intentions to diet, although there were a number of significant differences between the age‐sex groups. Restraint and intentions to diet were higher in the girls and restraint was more closely related to current‐ideal body figure discrepancy than actual degree of overweight. Intentions to diet, and restraint were significantly predicted by beliefs about the positive outcomes of dieting, conditions facilitating dieting, and pressure from the media to attain a slim body shape. These variables mediated the effects of actual weight, sex and age but not self/body esteem or current‐ideal body figure discrepancy on intentions and restraint.