Individual and Familial Correlates of Body Satisfaction in Male and Female College Students

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the relative contributions of global self-esteem, body mass index (BMI), dieting behaviors, and perceived parental control and care on body satisfaction among a nonclinical sample of college students. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Participants (49 males and 299 females) reported weight and height (to calculate BMI) and completed the EAT 26 test. Perceived parental care and control, global self-esteem, and body satisfaction were measured and examined in relation to BMI and dieting behavior. RESULTS: High BMIs were associated with lower body satisfaction for both genders; dieting behavior, self-esteem, and perceived parental care and control demonstrated a unique gender-specific association among variables in prediction of body satisfaction and dieting behavior for each gender. CONCLUSIONS: Body satisfaction as a part of global self-esteem is constructed differently by males and females. Various aspects of parenting (care and control) are associated with self-esteem and body satisfaction for each gender, influencing dieting behavior.

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