Abstract
PurposeTheoretical models, such as the transdiagnostic model of eating disorders highlight the role of cognitive factors (e.g., the way people perceive their bodies) and their associations with maladaptive weight management behaviors resulting in underweight. This paper aims at testing the indirect association of adolescent’s body satisfaction and body mass index (BMI) through restrictive dieting, healthy eating or unhealthy eating as well as moderating role of adolescent’s weight status.MethodsThe study was conducted in 16 public middle and high schools in Central and Eastern Poland. A sample of 1042 under- and healthy-weight white adolescents aged 13–20 (BMI: 12.63–24.89) completed two self-reported questionnaires (fruit, vegetable, and energy-dense food intake) with a 11-month interval. Weight and height were measured objectively. Multiple mediation analysis and moderated multiple mediation analysis were conducted to test the study hypotheses.ResultsAdolescents less satisfied with their bodies were more likely to diet restrictively and at the same time ate more unhealthy energy-dense food rather than healthy food, which in turn predicted lower BMI. No moderating effects of weight status were found.ConclusionsLow body satisfaction is a risk for restrictive diet and unhealthy food intake. Prevention programs may target under- and healthy-weight adolescents who are highly dissatisfied with their bodies, have a high intake of energy-dense food and apply a restrictive diet at the same time.Level of evidenceLevel III: longitudinal cohort study.
Highlights
Healthy body weight reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and other related health problems [1]
This study provides novel evidence for the long-term indirect effects of body satisfaction on adolescents’ body mass index (BMI) through restrictive dieting, healthy and unhealthy eating in the nonclinical group of under- and healthy-weight adolescents
The results show that body satisfaction is indirectly linked to adolescents’ BMIs through restrictive dieting and through unhealthy eating
Summary
Healthy body weight reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and other related health problems [1]. Theoretical models (e.g., transdiagnostic model of EDs) [6] highlight the role of cognitive factors in explaining eating behaviors and body weight. They focus primarily on the way people perceive their bodies, the contents of their thoughts, and perceptions of body weight and shape. The transdiagnostic model of EDs emphasizes that people let their outer appearance affect their self-evaluations. This leads to an excessive concentration on body weight and shape, and to maladaptive weight management behaviors (i.e., restrictive dieting, compulsive overeating, extremely healthy eating) resulting in underweight
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