DIETARY RESTRAINT AND SELF-PERCEPTIONS IN EARLY ADOLESCENCE

This study applied contemporary self-esteem theory to investigate the relationship between dietary restraint and a range of self-perceptions from the specific to the global level. Subjects were 108 girls and 113 boys aged 12.6 +/- 0.41 years who were involved in a longitudinal paediatric project. Reported eating behaviour was assessed using the three subscale Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Self-perceptions were assessed using subscales from Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents and items designed to measure specific attributes related to the body. In addition, a comprehensive anthropometric profile which included body fatness was available. Results indicated that self-esteem was highly related to perceptions of appearance, particularly for girls. Girls also reported higher levels of dietary restraint than boys (2.36 vs 2. 1 0). Dietary restraint was correlated strongly with perceived overfatness in girls (r = 0.58, P < 0.01) and boys (r = 0.52, P < 0.0 1), and was inversely related to self-perceptions in various life domains for boys, but not significantly for girls. However, subgroups emerged operating high dietary restraint who had different fatness, perceived overfatness and self-perception profiles. This suggests that an interactional approach using physiological and psychological variables is necessary if we are to progress in our understanding of this complex behaviour.