Abstract

MORENO GONZALEZ, Miriam Angélica  and  ORTIZ VIVEROS, Godeleva Rosa. Eating Disorder and its Relationship with Body Image and Self-Esteem in Adolescents. Ter Psicol [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.2, pp. 181-190. ISSN 0718-4808.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-48082009000200004.

Eating disorders are now a public health problem, by its increasing incidence; severity of symptoms, its resistance to treatment and its appearance at an increasingly younger age to remain until adulthood. The study analyzes the relationship between risk-taking behaviors and eating disorder, body image and self-esteem in adolescents from secondary education. Instruments: Three instruments were applied: the eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), the Assessment Questionnaire self-esteem, and a Sciodemographic Questionnaire. The sample were 298 students: 153 girls and 145 boys with an average of 13 years age. The results indícate that the risk of eating disorder is 8% and 10% with the disease installed; being more prevalent in women. Both sexes show dissatisfaction with their body image and low to medium self-esteem levels, with a higher trend in girls, and the cases are increasing with increasing age.

Keywords : Eating disorders; body image; self-esteem.