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Clinically signifcant body dissatisfaction : Prevalence and association with depressive symptoms in adolescent boys and girls
McLean, Siân A. Rodgers, Rachel F. Slater, Amy Jarman, Hannah K. Gordon, Chloe S. Paxton, Susan J.
McLean, Siân A.
Rodgers, Rachel F.
Slater, Amy
Jarman, Hannah K.
Gordon, Chloe S.
Paxton, Susan J.
Abstract
Body dissatisfaction is distressing and a risk factor for adverse consequences including eating disorders. However, data pertaining to the prevalence of body dissatisfaction in adolescence, a key period for its emergence, are lacking. This is a substantial barrier to tailored assessment and early intervention. This study addresses this gap and provides the prevalence of body dissatisfaction and associations with depressive symptoms and body change strategies. Adolescent boys (n = 367; Mage = 12.8, SD = 0.7) and girls (n = 368; Mage = 12.7, SD = 0.7) completed measures of body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms with established cut-off levels. They also completed measures of dietary restraint and strategies to increase muscle size. Of boys and girls, 37.9% and 20.7%, respectively experienced moderate, and 6.8% and 19.6% experienced clinically significant body dissatisfaction, with higher rates among girls than boys and among adolescents aged 13 and 14 than aged 12. More than one-quarter of boys (26.70%) and one-third of girls (33.15%) reported subthreshold depressive symptoms or possible, probable or major depressive episodes. Girls revealed a higher prevalence of possible-, probable-, or major depressive episode than boys. Relative to those with no or low body dissatisfaction, adolescents with clinically significant body dissatisfaction were 24 times more likely to also report possible-, probable-, or major depressive episodes. Among boys and girls, clinically significant body dissatisfaction was associated with higher levels of dietary restraint and engagement in strategies to increase muscle size. Greater attention to identification and early intervention for body dissatisfaction is needed, especially for girls.
Keywords
body dissatisfaction, clinically signifcant, depressive symptoms, prevalence, adolescent, boys, girls
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: official journal of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Book
Volume
Issue
Page Range
1-12
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled