Evaluation of adolescent body satisfaction and associated eating disorder pathology in two communities

Objective: As Eastern European countries adopt Anglo-American ideals of body size, it can be predicted that body dissatisfaction (a core feature of the eating disorders) will be similar to that observed in western cultures. The objective of the present investigation is to compare adolescent males and females in urban schools of two countries (Scotland and Yugoslavia) as part of an ongoing longitudinal study of BMI, body satisfaction, well-being and eating pathology. Method: 625 adolescents had their BMI recorded and completed a series of questionnaires measuring body satisfaction, depression, anxiety and eating pathology. Results: Significant differences emerged as a function of gender in both countries and as a function of country. Girls reported significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction than boys and scored higher on measures of restrained eating. However, eating pathology, depression and anxiety were higher in the Scottish cohort in general, and in the Scottish girls in particular. Similarly, self-esteem was lower in the Scottish cohort and was particularly low in the girls. Discussion: Overall, body dissatisfaction appears to be a normative experience despite normal weight status for girls in both countries. However, risk factors for developing eating disorders appear higher in the western cohort. Results from the longitudinal assessments will highlight whether this trend is maintained over time. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.