BODY IMAGE SATISFACTION AND EATING ATTITUDES: ROLE OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of sociodemographic among body image satisfaction and eating attitudes in late adolescents. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship among sociodemographic, body image satisfaction and eating attitudes while sociodemographic and body image satisfaction would likely predict eating attitudes. Through non-probability convenient sampling technique, a sample of (N= 150) late adolescents including (n = 62 boys and n = 88 girls), with an age range of (16-19) years, (M = 17.59, SD = 1.00) were recruited online through Google Forms. A self-constructed Sociodemographic Information Sheet, The Body Shape Questionnaire (Cooper et al., 1987) and Eating Attitude Test (Garneret al., 1998) were administered to collect data that was further analyzed through SPSS version 21. Results found a significant negative correlation in body image satisfaction and father’s education with eating attitudes while body mass index (BMI) and eating attitudes showed a positive relationship. Also, BMI and body image satisfaction were positively predicted and father’s education negatively predicted eating attitudes. Lastly, significant gender differences were found in body image satisfaction while obese participants exhibited a higher level of eating attitudes and body image satisfaction as compared to other groups. The findings have significant implications in the field of academia, research, clinical and counselling settings by creating awareness regarding body image satisfaction and eating attitudes that will eventually result in healthy eating patterns and well-being.