M. Nowak et al., GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ADOLESCENT WEIGHT AND SHAPE-RELATED BELIEFS ANDBEHAVIORS, Journal of paediatrics and child health, 32(2), 1996, pp. 148-152
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.