engleski

Desire to Look Thinner, Perception of Body Shape and Dieting Among Adolescents

Purpose was to investigate the correlation between the desire for a thinner appearance, dissatisfaction with body image and dieting among adolescents. 472 students from fifth to eighth grade of elementary school filled the general questionnaire on basic socio- demographic data and prevalence of dieting as well as Body Image Perceptions Scale. The collected results were analyzed using chi- square test, t- test and analysis of variance, using the computer program SPSS 11.5. 40% of students of both sexes expressed a desire to look thinner, significantly more girls. One fifth of pupils of both sexes, significantly more girls, reported that they had already tried to lose weight. A positive correlation was found between body dissatisfaction and dieting. Significant proportion in those who were dieting was made of those who reported dissatisfaction with their body and tendency to look leaner. Conclusion: Dieting is a significant predictor of the development of eating disorders. Two- fifths of primary school students want to look slimmer, and half of them actually carried out a diet. The impetus for the dieting was higher index of body dissatisfaction. Therefore, in the process of planning and implementation of prevention program for eating disorders is important to raise the level of satisfaction with adolescent’s appearance and help them accept their distinct body changes in that age group.

adolescent; dietting; eating disorders

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