Year
2021
Season
Spring
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science in Psychological Science (MSPS)
Department
Psychology
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Dawn Witherspoon
Second Advisor
Dr. Angela Mann
Rights Statement
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Department Chair
Dr. Lori Lange
College Dean
Dr. George Rainbolt
Abstract
Body dissatisfaction is a globally prevalent issue among adolescents, particularly for those living in industrialized societies (Griffith et al., 2017). Body dissatisfaction is considered a central component of obesity intervention (Huh et at., 2011; Mitola et al., 2007) and eating disorder etiology (Kelly et al., 2005; Saunders & Frazier, 2016). It predominantly effects females and is commonly found among those with eating disorders and those who struggle with obesity or have higher BMI (Kelly et al., 2005; Saunders & Frazier, 2016). However this is contradicted in African American females, the majority of research has found low levels of body dissatisfaction, high rates of obesity, and low levels of eating pathology in this understudied population(Cotter et al. 2015; Epperson et al., 2013; Grabe & Hyde, 2006). Additionally, very little research has investigated the relation of these variables between mothers and daughters in the U.S. (Moiza et al., 2015). In the present study it was found that there is a higher prevalence of dissatisfaction among African American girls than previously thought. Consistent with previous research, high rates of obesity and relatively low prevalence of eating pathology symptoms were found among African American mothers and daughters. It was also found that both adolescents and mothers inaccurately report their adolescents current body size with a tendency to underestimate. Finally, it was also found that mother’s satisfaction moderated dissatisfaction in adolescent girls who were satisfied or dissatisfied wanting to be smaller.
Suggested Citation
Ronderos, Samantha, "Investigating Body Dissatisfaction, Obesity, & Eating Pathology: African American Adolescent Girls & Mothers" (2021). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1021.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1021
Included in
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