Over the past twenty years, eating disorders have become a highly visible public health issue; current estimates show up to ten percent of adolescent girls in the US suffering from clinical eating disorders. However, little is known about the national prevalence of sub-clinical symptoms of these disorders, such as distorted body image and an excessive concern with food and exercise. Even less is known about body image and body management behaviors among boys. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), I examine the prevalence of distorted body image and unhealthy body management behaviors, such as excessive dieting and exercise, among adolescents in the United States. I find that although over 22 percent of girls think they are overweight while they are not, over 13 percent of boys think they are underweight while they are not. There are interesting ethnic and racial differences between the genders. White, Asian and Hispanic girls have higher rates of distorted body image than black girls. Yet among the boys, black boys have the highest rates of distorted body image. This paper describes rates by age, race and gender, and tests for factors at the individual, family and contextual level that may explain the differences in rates. I argue that an important component of mental health at all ages is accurate self-perception. During adolescence, self-perception is often tied to feelings and behaviors concerning the body. Thus, adolescents who exhibit distorted body image may be at risk for further mental health concerns. See www.cpc.unc.edu/addhealth/
Learning Objectives: After the presentation, participants will be able to: 1. Recognize the spectrum of disturbed body image, unhealthy body management behaviors, and eating disorders. 2. Describe the patterns of disturbed body image and unhealthy body management behaviors by race and gender among American adolescents. 3. Hypothesize about some of the individual-, family- and social-level factors that predispose adolescents to disturbed body image and unhealthy body management behaviors.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Health Behavior
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.