Relationships among Body Image Concern, Restrained Eating Behavior and Self-esteem of Middle School Students in One City

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among TV involvement, body image concern, restrained eating behavior and self-esteem of middle school students in one city.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 229 boys and 267 girls enrolled in the middle schools completed self report questionnaire in June, 2009. The data was analyzed by using SPSS/WIN 17.0.

Results: Of boys, 24.5% was over-weight/obese while 12.7% of girls was over-weight/obese. Compared to boys, girls involved more in TV (p<.001), and showed more body image concern, and restrained eating behavior (p<.001), but had lower self-esteem (p=.020). A significant positive correlation between TV involvement and body image concern was found in both boys and girls. However, only girls showed a negative association between TV involvement and self-esteem, and as well as between restrained eating behavior and self-esteem. As grouped by BMI, both boys and girls showed significantly different scores in restrained eating behavior (p<.001).

Conclusion: These results suggest that the increased number of obese young adolescent need a weight management program including control for unhealthy eating behavior. The influence of mass-media on distorted body image for adolescents should be corrected. Also, an intervention for young obese girls to promote their self-esteem needs to be developed.