Body image: overweight and obese teens avoid certain foods and skip meals
According to a Spanish study of teens aged 12 to 17 years, the degree of satisfaction with body image has a significant effect on food choices and eating habits.
Among the subjects interviewed, many overweight and obese boys were satisfied with their body image, while the vast majority of girls with excess weight wanted to be thinner. Obese girls skipped breakfast more often than normal-weight girls.
According to the study results, teens dissatisfied with their weight were more likely to avoid certain foods such as cereal, pasta, rice, high fat foods, chocolate, soft drinks and dairy products but did not necessarily increase their fruit and vegetable consumption. This behaviour is typical in teens, who tend to use dietary restrictions rather than a deliberate choice of healthy foods to lose weight.
The researchers believe this data may be useful in helping practitioners and youth workers tailor educational messages promoting good eating habits to their clients.
Read article Body image and eating patterns among adolescents
Veille Action - December 6, 2013
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