Gender differences in adolescent weight and shape-related beliefs and behaviours

OBJECTIVE: To describe the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of North Queensland adolescents about weight, weight loss and body shape, and to examine the influence of gender. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire was used to survey 791 year 8 adolescents from private schools in north Queensland. RESULTS: Only 41% of the girls and 54% of the boys were satisfied with their weight; 52% of the girls and 27% of the boys wanted to lose weight; 52% of the girls thought their thighs were too fat and 26% of the boys thought their stomachs were too fat. When surveyed, 35% of the girls and 22% of the boys were trying to lose weight. CONCLUSIONS: The weight loss drive, so prevalent in our culture, is already apparent among 12-14 year old schoolchildren. The challenge is to prevent obesity without encouraging an accompanying obsession with weight loss; however, good information, appropriately delivered, may be insufficient without a change in cultural expectations and assistance from the fashion and advertising industries.