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.
Highlights
Obesity associated with adipocyte hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases arising from malnutrition
Excessive body weight during adolescence can lead to psychological problems resulting in an inappropriate attitude toward eating and self-perception of their own body
17.8% who completed the questionnaire refused to participate in anthropometric measurements, their survey data were not included in further analyses
Summary
Obesity associated with adipocyte hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases arising from malnutrition. According to World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) data, 340 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 have excessive body weight, including 41 million who are obese. Typical complications of childhood obesity include impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinaemia, lipid disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver, cholelithiasis, obstructive sleep apnea, orthopedic and psychological problems, and arterial hypertension that occurs in obese children 3 to 5 times more often than in peers with normal body weight (Feld & Corey, 2007; Labarthe et al, 2009). Obesity that occurs during childhood increases the risk of metabolic diseases and disorders in adulthood (Lloyd et al, 2012). According to the WHO (2010), excessive body weight is responsible for 35% of cases of coronary heart disease, 55% of hypertension, and 80% of type 2 diabetes. Excessive body weight during adolescence can lead to psychological problems resulting in an inappropriate attitude toward eating and self-perception of their own body
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