DISORDERED EATING AND UNHEALTHY WEIGHT-REDUCTION PRACTICES AMONG ADOLESCENT FEMALES

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.