GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ADOLESCENT WEIGHT AND SHAPE-RELATED BELIEFS ANDBEHAVIORS

Objective: To describe the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of North Queensland adolescents about weight, weight loss and body shape, and t o examine the influence of gender. Methodology: A questionnaire was us ed to survey 791 year 8 adolescents from private schools in north Quee nsland. Results: Only 41% of the girls and 54% of the boys were satisf ied with their weight; 52% of the girls and 27% of the boys wanted to lose weight; 52% of the girls thought their thighs were too fat and 26 % of the boys thought their stomachs were too fat When surveyed, 35% o f the girls and 22% of the boys were trying to lose weight. Conclusion s: The weight loss drive, so prevalent in our culture, is already appa rent among 12-14 year old schoolchildren. The challenge is to prevent obesity without encouraging an accompanying obsession with weight loss ; however, good information, appropriately delivered, may be insuffici ent without a change in cultural expectations and assistance from the fashion and advertising industries.