The role of biodevelopmental and psychological factors in disordered eating among adolescent males and females

Abstract

Abstract The present study examined the role of biodevelopmental and psychological factors in the development of disordered eating in early adolescent males and females. Three hundred and six girls (mean age = 13.66 years; SD = 1.12 years) and 297 boys (mean age = 13.89 years; SD = 1.13 years) from grades 7–10 completed a questionnaire which assessed disordered eating, biodevelopmental (body mass index (BMI), age and puberty) and psychological factors (self‐esteem, depression, anxiety, ineffectiveness, perfectionism). Not surprisingly, girls were more likely than boys to engage in extreme weight loss behaviours. There were no significant differences between boys and girls on measures of binge eating or bulimic tendencies. Self‐esteem, depression and anxiety were found to be significant predictors of disordered eating among girls, while anxiety, ineffectiveness, self‐esteem and perfectionism were significant predictors among boys. The findings from this study demonstrate the importance of psychological variables in predicting extreme weight loss behaviours among both adolescent males and females. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

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