Background. Dissatisfaction with body weight and the use of unhealthy
weight reduction practices have been reported among adolescent females
. There is a need for methodologically rigorous studies using large re
presentative samples of adolescent females to accurately assess the pr
evalence of these behaviors and. attitudes. Methods. Eight hundred six
ty-nine Australian school girls ages 14-16 years were administered a s
elf-report questionnaire to determine the prevalence of disordered eat
ing behaviors, unhealthy dieting practices, and distorted body image.
Anthropometric (height and weight) data were collected on each of thes
e adolescent females. Results. The prevalences of disordered eating, u
nhealthy dieting, and distorted body image were 33, 57, and 12%, respe
ctively. Over one-third (36%) of the total sample had used at least on
e ''extreme'' dieting method in the past month, i.e., ''crash'' dietin
g, fasting, slimming tablets, diuretics, laxatives, and/or cigarettes
to lose weight. Of the total sample, 77% wanted to lose weight and 51%
had tried to lose weight in the past month. Motivating factors for di
sordered eating and unhealthy dieting behaviors were peer pressure, me
dia pressure, and the perception that extreme dieting strategies were
harmless. Conclusion. The prevalence of disordered eating and dieting
behaviors among adolescent females shown by this study suggests the ne
ed for preventive programs encouraging appropriate eating and dieting
behaviors. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.