Peer status and victimization as possible reinforcements of adolescent girls' and boys' weight-related behaviors and cognitions

Abstract

Objective: Reciprocal longitudinal associations among weight-related behaviors and cognitions and peer relations constructs were examined among adolescent males and females.Methods: Participants included 576 adolescents aged 10-14 years, in grades 6-8. Measures assessed body dissatisfaction, negative weight-related cognitions, weight management behaviors, muscle-gaining behaviors, body mass index (BMI), likeability, popularity, and victimization at two time points, approximately 11 months apart. Multiple group path analyses were conducted to examine the reciprocal longitudinal associations between the peer relations constructs and weight-related behaviors and cognitions, controlling for participants' Time 1 BMI, pubertal development, and age.Results: Higher levels of body dissatisfaction were associated longitudinally with decreases in popularity. Higher popularity and lower likeability each were associated longitudinally with increases in negative body-related cognitions. Higher popularity was associated longitudinally with muscle-gaining behaviors for boys.Conclusions: Findings suggest highly popular and disliked adolescents may be at greater risk of weight-related behaviors and cognitions than other adolescents. © The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.