The relationship between parental and mass media influences on eating disorder symptomatology and self-esteem in adolescents

Abstract

Eating disorders are one of the most common and serious forms of adolescent illnesses in developed societies. Because a negative body image has been linked to low self-esteem, a greater prevalence of dieting, and symptoms related to eating disorders, studying sociocultural factors that contribute to disordered eating may bring us closer to preventing the disease. Fourteen - to - 18 year old students from two rural Texas high schools participated in the study. Participants completed a 24-hour dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire, 2 day diet record, and a cognitive questionnaire. Pearson's correlations and linear regression were used to examine relationships between risk for an eating disorder (Children's Eating Attitude scores, ChEAT), parental body mass index, media influence and ideal body internalization, self-esteem, and weight loss practices of parents. Multiple and non linear regression analyses were used to examine the interaction between media and parental influence on ChEAT scores and self-esteem in adolescents. The interaction was a strong predictor of ChEAT scores in both males and females. Mean ChEAT scores were similar in both females and males. T-tests indicated females were significantly more preoccupied with being thin than males. Females' ChEAT scores were more influenced by pressure felt from their mother to diet and exercise, or gain weight, while males' ChEAT scores were more influenced by pressure from their fathers. Males' self-esteem was not significantly affected by media or parental influence. Results of the study indicate education efforts should focus on parents to prevent extreme dieting behaviors and attitudes from being reinforced in the home. A longitudinal study would be beneficial to determine age at which prevention programs should begin.