Dm. Ackard et Cb. Peterson, Association between puberty and disordered eating, body image, and other psychological variables, INT J EAT D, 29(2), 2001, pp. 187-194
Objective: To examine associations between puberty and disordered eating, b
ody image, and other psychological variables. Method: Females were grouped
into three categories of age at puberty onset (Study 1; N = 267) as well as
three categories of self-perception of prepubertal weight (Study 2; N = 22
2). Participants in both studies were matched on current body mass index (B
MI) across categories. Results: Females who perceived themselves to be over
weight prior to puberty scored significantly higher on measures of disorder
ed eating, body dissatisfaction, asceticism, drive for thinness, impulse re
gulation, interoceptive awareness, and perfectionism. They also perceived t
heir current body figure to be larger when compared with those who believed
they were average or underweight prior to puberty. Age at puberty onset wa
s not significantly associated with disordered eating, body dissatisfaction
, depression, or self-esteem. However, females who entered puberty at an ea
rlier age scored higher on measures of asceticism, drive for thinness, impu
lse regulation, and social insecurity. They also chose a more slender ideal
body figure than those who entered at an older age. Discussion: Females wh
o believe they are overweight prior to puberty may be at risk for the devel
opment of disordered eating, body image dissatisfaction, and related proble
ms. Age at puberty onset is not a consistent risk factor of pathological ea
ting. (C) 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.