Body dissatisfaction in California adolescents

Abstract

Factors that contribute to body dissatisfaction among adolescents from ethnically diverse California were examined to determine if the factors vary with gender and race. Data from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey were used; 1807 White, Latino, and Asian American adolescents from 12 to 17 years old were included. Ordinal multiple logistic regression with gender and ethnicity controlled for revealed two major factors (high body mass index and poor/fair general health status) contribute to body dissatisfaction across gender and ethnicity in California adolescents. Other factors related to body dissatisfaction varied with ethnicity and gender. Gender- and ethnicity-specific interventions to improve body image in adolescents must be developed.