According to recent research published in the Journal of American College Health, '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 (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. 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. Body satisfaction as a part of global self-esteem is constructed differently by males and females,' wrote N. Sira and colleagues, East Carolina University (see also Health Research).
The researchers concluded: 'Various aspects of parenting (care and control) are associated with self-esteem and body satisfaction for each gender, influencing dieting behavior.'
Sira and colleagues published their study in the Journal of American College Health (Individual and Familial Correlates of Body Satisfaction in Male and Female College Students. Journal of American College Health, 2010;58(6):507-514).
For additional information, contact N. Sira, East Carolina University, Dept. of Child Development & Family Relat, College Human Ecology, 176 Rivers Bldg, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
The publisher's contact information for the Journal of American College Health is: Heldref Publications, 1319 Eighteenth St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-1802, USA.
Keywords: City:Greenville, State:NC, Country:United States, Health Research, Mental Health, Self-Esteem
This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
