Abstract
Shape and weight concerns among overweight pre-adolescents heighten risk for eating disorders and weight gain. Treatment and
prevention efforts require consideration of psychosocial factors that co-occur with these concerns. This study involved 200
overweight pre-adolescents, aged 7–12 years (M age = 9.8; SD = 1.4), presenting for family-based weight control treatment. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the
influence of pre-adolescents’ individual characteristics and social experiences, and their parents’ psychological symptoms,
on shape and weight concerns as assessed by the Child Eating Disorder Examination. Findings revealed that higher levels of
dietary restraint, greater feelings of loneliness, elevated experiences with weight-related teasing, and higher levels of
parents’ eating disorder symptoms predicted higher shape and weight concerns among overweight pre-adolescents. Interventions
addressing overweight pre-adolescents’ disordered eating behaviors and social functioning, as well as their parents’ disordered
eating behaviors and attitudes, may be indicated for those endorsing shape and weight concerns.
prevention efforts require consideration of psychosocial factors that co-occur with these concerns. This study involved 200
overweight pre-adolescents, aged 7–12 years (M age = 9.8; SD = 1.4), presenting for family-based weight control treatment. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the
influence of pre-adolescents’ individual characteristics and social experiences, and their parents’ psychological symptoms,
on shape and weight concerns as assessed by the Child Eating Disorder Examination. Findings revealed that higher levels of
dietary restraint, greater feelings of loneliness, elevated experiences with weight-related teasing, and higher levels of
parents’ eating disorder symptoms predicted higher shape and weight concerns among overweight pre-adolescents. Interventions
addressing overweight pre-adolescents’ disordered eating behaviors and social functioning, as well as their parents’ disordered
eating behaviors and attitudes, may be indicated for those endorsing shape and weight concerns.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9686-y
- Authors
- Meghan M. Sinton, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrea B. Goldschmidt, Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Vandana Aspen, Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Kelly R. Theim, Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Richard I. Stein, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Brian E. Saelens, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Leonard H. Epstein, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Denise E. Wilfley, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891