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Disordered eating behaviours and attitudes in Jamaican adolescents: does the media play a role?
In. Caribbean Public Health Agency. Caribbean Public Health Agency: 60th Annual Scientific Meeting. Kingston, The University of the West Indies. Faculty of Medical Sciences, 2015. p.[1-75]. (West Indian Medical Journal Supplement).
Monography in English | MedCarib | ID: med-17925
Responsible library: TT2.1
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of disordered eating behaviours and attitudes in Jamaican high school students and to determine the impact of media exposure. DESIGN AND

METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey of 524 Jamaican adolescents aged 11-19 years, identified using stratified random sampling, was conducted. Data was collected on sociodemographic factors, eating behaviours and attitudes (Eating Attitudes Test EAT-26) self-esteem and media influence and anthropometric measurements were taken. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed at the 5% significance level.

RESULTS:

Most participants were normal weight (n=385, 76.7%) and males had lower mean body mass index (BMI) than females (females 20.7 ñ 4.2, males 19.4 ñ 3.2; p<0.01) with more females being overweight or obese (females n=46, 16.2%; males 21, 9.6%; p<0.05). Females had higher mean EAT-26 scores than males (females 15.0 ñ9.3, males 12.4 ñ 9.4; p<0.01). The mean media impact score (MIS) was higher in females (females 22.6, CI 21.7, 23.4; males 21.0, CI 20.1, 21.9; p=0.02) and in late adolescence (early adolescence 21.0, CI 20.1, 21.9, late adolescence 22.6, CI 21.7, 23.5; p=0.01). The MIS correlated positively with the EAT 26 score (p<0.001), the negative affect score (p<0.05) and BMI (p<0.05) and negatively with the self-esteem score (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

One in 5 Jamaican adolescents were deemed at risk of developing an eating disorder with an increasing prevalence of more severe disordered eating behaviours such as self-induced vomiting. There is a positive relationship between media influence and disordered eating behaviours and negative affect and a negative relationship with self-esteem.
Subject(s)
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Collection: International databases Database: MedCarib Main subject: Feeding and Eating Disorders / Adolescent / Adolescent Behavior / Jamaica / Mass Media Type of study: Prognostic study / Risk factors Country/Region as subject: English Caribbean / Jamaica Language: English Journal: West Indian Medical Journal Supplement Year: 2015 Document type: Monography
Search on Google
Collection: International databases Database: MedCarib Main subject: Feeding and Eating Disorders / Adolescent / Adolescent Behavior / Jamaica / Mass Media Type of study: Prognostic study / Risk factors Country/Region as subject: English Caribbean / Jamaica Language: English Journal: West Indian Medical Journal Supplement Year: 2015 Document type: Monography
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