The impact of adolescent girls' life concerns and leisure activities on body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and self-esteem

The aim of this study was to situate adolescent girls' body dissatisfaction , disordered eating, and self-esteem in the context of their life concerns and leisure activities. Questionnaires containing measures of life concerns , leisure activities, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and self-est eem were administered to 306 girls with a mean age of 16 years. It was foun d that although academic success and intelligence were rated as the most im portant life concerns, an emphasis on slimness was most strongly linked to body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and global self-esteem. An emphasi s on popularity with girls also was related to body dissatisfaction, and ho urs spent watching television were related to lower self-esteem. In contras t, emphasis on sport seemed to serve a protective function. It was conclude d that adolescent girls who have a high concern for slimness should be assi sted in decreasing this emphasis in order to improve their general well-bei ng.