Concern Over Weight and Dieting in Taiwanese Adolescents: Correlations of Gender, Age, Weight, and Multidimensional Characteristics

Abstract

The aims of this study were to compare the levels of concern over weight and dieting (COWD) among adolescents with different body weight status, gender, and age, and to examine the associations of COWD with multidimensional characteristics. Nine thousand eighty-seven adolescents completed the questionnaires. The levels of COWD were compared among the groups with different body weight status, gender, and age. The correlates of COWD in gender- and age-specified groups were examined. The results indicated that the levels of COWD varied across the groups of adolescents with different body weight status, gender, and age. Being overweight or obese, depression, and low self-esteem were associated with high COWD in all gender- and age-specified groups. A variety of socio-demographic, personal, family, peer, and school characteristics were also associated with high COWD in adolescents with specified gender and age. Gender- and age-specified intervention programs targeting adolescents with the correlates of high COWD should be considered.