Possible risk factors in the development of eating disorders in overweight pre-adolescent girls.

Journal article

OBJECTIVES: To investigate concerns about weight, shape and eating, dietary restraint, self-esteem and symptoms of depression in overweight girls. To investigate the relationship between concerns and self-esteem and depressive symptoms in this group. METHOD: Eighteen overweight girls and 18 average-weight girls completed the child version of the Eating Disorders Examination, the Harter Self-Perception Profile and the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire. RESULTS: Overweight girls had more concerns about weight, shape and eating and attempted dietary restraint more often. They had more negative self-esteem related to their athletic competence, physical appearance and global self-worth and more symptoms of depression. There was an association between concerns and self-esteem based on physical appearance in the overweight group. CONCLUSION: Overweight girls show some of the psychological features associated with the development of eating disorders, including a link between concerns and self-esteem based on physical appearance. This may help to explain why childhood obesity increases the risk of a later eating disorder.

Authors: Burrows, A; Cooper, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1268-1273
• Publication date: 2002-09-01
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802033
• EISSN: 0307-0565
• ISSN: 0307-0565
• Language: English
• Keywords: Child; Eating Disorders; Female; Emotions; Humans; Body Height; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Body Image; Body Weight; Obesity; Depression; Self Concept; Body Mass Index; Affect; Questionnaires; Risk Factors