A Three-Year Longitudinal Study of Body Image, Eating Disturbance, and General Psychological Functioning in Adolescent Females

Abstract

Using a longitudinal design, adolescent females were initially evaluated then retested after a three-year period for levels of body image disturbance, eating dysfunction, psychological functioning, and multiple developmental variables (maturational status, level of obesity, history of being teased about appearance). Multiple regression analyses revealed that (a) level of obesity predicted teasing, (b) teasing led to overall appearance dissatisfaction, (c) body dissatisfaction predicted restrictive eating practices, and (d) bulimic symptoms predicted global psychological function. These findings are limited by a small sample size; however, the results are consistent with past research. Indications for future investigations are offered.