FEAR OF FAT, DISREGULATED-RESTRAINED EATING, AND BODY-ESTEEM - PREVALENCE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES AMONG 8-YEAR-OLD TO 10-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Examined whether: (a) societal directives to be thin are perceived amo ng children, (b) discontent with body and attitudes and behaviors asso ciated with eating disorders begin before adolescence, and (c) these d iffer by sex. These issues were assessed in 239 Grade 3 students. Scal es of eating and weight attitudes and behaviors for this under-studied population were either created or modified from existing instruments. These 8- to 10-year-old children expressed weight, dieting, and physi que concerns that reflect Western sociocultural values and preoccupati on with body weight and dieting. Sex differences were examined and rev ealed several but not very reliable distinctions at this young age. Th ese findings appear to be consistent with research on adolescents. The components that may lead to the development of an eating disorder or disregulated-restrained eating in a vulnerable adolescent may be both internalized and expressed at a very early age.