Studies conducted within the last decade have found an increasing preoccupation with weight along with a notable prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among children and young adolescents. The purpose of this study were 1) to examine and describe disordered eating behaviors and beliefs of middle school students, 2) to examine and describe middle school students' sports participation, and 3) to determine if relationships existed between numbers and types of sports students participated in and disordered eating behaviors and beliefs. More than 400 students attending five public and private middle schools completed 28-item self-administered questionnaires about weight dissatisfaction beliefs, eating and purging behaviors, as well as their sports participation and their use of sports participation to control weight. More than one third of the children reported that they wanted to lose weight and they looked fat, and approximately a fourth of the students reported that they had been afraid to eat and that they dieted and exercised to lose weight. The majority of the study participants engaged in sports, and more than a third of them stated that they used their sports participation to control their weight. No relationships were found between the number of sports students played and their weight control beliefs and behaviors. Teachers, coaches, parents and other adults who play significant roles in the lives of children need to be alert to possible indicators of disordered eating, which can result in full fledged eating disorders. Prevention efforts need to begin in very early childhood.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to 1. Describe middle school students' beliefs about weight and weight control. 2. Describe disordered eating behaviors of middle school students. 3. Discuss the relationships between middle school students' sports participation and their disordered eating behaviors and beliefs
Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Risky Behaviors
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.