BMI, Body Perception, and Approach to Eating and Diet in Adolescent Girls

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of weight status on body perception and satisfaction, occurrence of Anorexia Readiness Syndrome (ARS), and dietary behaviors in adolescent girls. The study was conducted among 516 girls aged 14 to 16 living in Szczecin (Poland). The ARS Diagnosis Questionnaire designed by Ziółkowska and the author’s own questionnaire about self-perception of body were used, and anthropometric assessment was performed. The weight status significantly affected weight status perception, body satisfaction, and dietary behaviors. The girls with a body mass index (BMI) > 50th percentile more often were dissatisfied with their bodies and more often showed at least a medium ARS level. The girls with a BMI ≤ 50th percentile more often overestimated their body weight, and transferred the feeling of being unattractive to their faces. Results of this study demonstrate the importance of education for adolescent girls to help realistically assess body size and promote healthy bodies and eating behaviors, regardless of the weight status.