[The attitude of the 11th grade school girls to their bodies and weight control]

Medicina (Kaunas). 2002;38(4):444-51.
[Article in Lithuanian]

Abstract

Objective: Of the study was to detect the girls of 11th grade attitude towards their bodies and weight control.

Methods: The girls attitude towards their bodies and weight control was determined by anonymous 48-item questionnaire. The percentage of body fat (Durnin & Womersley, 1974) of each girl was estimated as well.

Results: Showed that a large part of the normal weight girls (58.5%) considered their weight too high. The girls with higher body fat and those who considered their weight to be too high judged their bodies and separate body parts more negative; their weight control behavior was more negative as well. The bigger difference between actual and desirable body weight was related with more negative weight control behavior and higher fear of weight gain. The attitude of the girls involved and not involved in leisure sports activities towards their bodies showed no significant difference while more dieting cases in sport involved group was determined.

Conclusions: Attitude towards body weight was a higher predictor of negative weight control aspects than the actual percentage of body fat. The problem needs future examination.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Body Image*
  • Body Weight*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Diet
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Psychology, Adolescent*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sports