FIGURE PR

EFERENCE, BODY

DISSATISFACTIO

N, AND

BODY DISTO

RTION IN

ADOLESCENCE

RAC H E L LI B

B E N

M A RY TA S S O N E

A D R I EN N E H

U DA K

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY• The study evaluates gender and age

effects on figure preference, body dissatisfaction, and body distortion that could lead to eating related problems among adolescents.

• As early as sixth grade, early maturing females who are typically heavier than their later developing peers are significantly dissatisfied with their bodies.

• Females as young as nine years old express concern about being or becoming overweight.

PURPOSE CONTINUED…• Even though during puberty, there is a

natural increase in body fat, adolescent girls desire to attain the cultural standards of a thin body and attractiveness.

• The article wants to expand upon the current research by looking at body dissatisfaction and distortion in relation to behaviors/attitudes characteristic of young people with eating disorders.

• With these issues being better understood, prevention and treatment programs can be advanced.

METHODS: SUBJECTS 454 students 269 females; 185 males Ages 12-18 in grades 7-8

or high-school 9-12 1 urban and 2 suburban

school districts near Buffalo, New York

METHODS: MEASURES• Students were given a sheet of paper with 9 figure

drawing that were designed to reflect average pubertal development for this age group.

• Students were asked to place an X on the figure which best represented his or her own current status and a O on the figure that best represented his or her ideal preference.

• Teachers evaluated these results and rated students on their current status in order to see if adolescents perceived themselves as heavier or thinner than they actually were.

FIGURE 1: FIGURE RATING SCALE

METHODS: MEASURES• The Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) was

administered to assess the relationship of body dissatisfaction and distortion to behavioral/psychological dimensions related to eating disorders.

• The EDI-2 measures 11 traits theoretically related to eating disorders.

• The Eating Disorder Inventory-2 was administered to assess the relationship of body dissatisfaction and distortion to behavioral/psychological dimensions related to eating disorders.

• Table 1: Eating Disorder Inventory -2 Scale Descriptions

TABLE 1: EATING DISORDER INVENTORY-2 SCALE DESCRIPTIONS

Scale DescriptionDrive for thinness (DT) Preoccupation with

weightBulimia (B) Tendency to binge & purgeBody Dissatisfaction (BD) Unhappiness with thighs,

hips, etcIneffectiveness (I) Feelings of inadequacy,

insecurityPerfectionism (P) Unrealistic standards of

behaviorInterpersonal distrust (ID) Avoiding intimate

relationshipsInteroceptive awareness (IA) Apprehension

about emotionsMaturity fears (MF) Yearning for childhoodAsceticism (A) Virtue via denial or

restraintImpulse regulation (IR) Impulsivity and hostilitySocial insecurity (SI) Social self-doubt and

unhappiness

METHODS: PROCEDURES The researchers attended 19 physical education,

psychology, or sociology classes and requested volunteers for a study in “Body-Figure Preferences.”

Students were told that they had 5 minutes to complete a questionnaire, school personnel would not be allowed to see their individual responses, and all response sheets would be destroyed after data was used.

After collecting the figure rating sheets, researchers asked students in the 5 psychology/sociology classes to complete a 91-item self-report survey (EDI-2).

Body dissatisfaction was calculated by subtracting a students ideal figure preference from his or her current status rating based on the teachers evaluation.

RESULTS• ANOVA performed to distinguish between gender, age

(middle vs high school), and across three areas of ideal figure preference, body dissatisfaction, and body distortion

• Ideal Figure Preference and Body Dissatisfaction• Females chose a body figure noticebly thinner than their

build; males chose a slightly heavier build• Females reported lower body ideal and higher body

dissatisfaction• High school females expressed a much higher body

dissatisfaction than middle school females• Positive linear relationship between age and body

dissatifaction found with femailes from age 12-18

RESULTS CONT’D• Body Distortion• Both females and males reported themselves heavier than

adult rated• High school females had higher levels of body distortion,

similar to body dissatisfaction• When curivlinear pattern added in, females showed

significant body distortion in early high school, then decreasing around ages 17-18

• Attitudes/Behaviors Characteristic of Eating Disorders• EDI-2 data analyzed with Bonferroni method• Crossed 11 variables of EDI-2 with ideal figure preference,

body dissatisfaction and body distortion• No significance found with males• Females were significant in Drive for Thinness and Body

Dissatisfaction

DISCUSSION• Possible Interventions• Females desire much thinner figures, as males desire more

muscular figures• Concerns arise if Western societies body image ideals are adapted

into deitary lifestyles• Early interventions suggested as a means to avoid health concerns

for young women especially regarding potential eating disorders, etc.

• Study Limitations• Could focus further on specific factors, such as personal shape

preference, cultural mores, percentage of body fat, etc.• Ideal to include ethnic/racial profiles along with different SES

subgroups (other than white middle class)• Could also review specifics in the media as approach; specific

actors, actresses, models for review over the figure chart

DISCUSSION QUESTIONSDove video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6JvK0W60I1.The article talks about how adolescents body

images are affected by cultural ideals. What are your thoughts and reactions to this?

2.Think back to junior high. Do you remember any prevention programs? How this topic affected you or other people?

3.How does this topic affect your respected field or program?