Weight concerns and eating disorders: A developmental context

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between wight concerns and eating disorders, and developmental changes related to adolescence. Puberty usually has a more negative effect on female adolescents" self-esteem and body-image than on those of male adolescents”, since:the changes undergone move them away from the cultural stereotype of slenderness. This effect influences the onset of restrictive diets and weight concerns, specially in adolescents" that have unudergone early development and/or with other sources of stress. In turn, dieting and weight concerns are risk factors for eating disorders.

A family relations pattern that avoids the transition toward self-eontrol inherent to adolescence can also be another factor that predisposes adolescents to excessive weight control and eating disorders.