Eating attitudes and weight concern among Chinese middle-age women: A comparison between different age and BMI groups

• Zhuoli Tao ^[1] ; Wenfang Zhong ^[2]
  1. [1] Southeast University

     Southeast University

     China

     
  2. [2] School for Educational Science, Shangai Normal University, Shangai. China
• Localización: European journal of psychiatry, ISSN 0213-6163, Vol. 24, Nº 3, 2010, págs. 146-157
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Background and Objectives: Few studies have been conducted to explore eating behavior and weight concern among middle-aged women. Methods: Participants were a sample of 236 Chinese women aged 30-52. Outcome measures were various symptoms related to eating disorders, the weight concern and psychological characteristics subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 questionnaire (EDI-2). Independent variables were age, education level and BMI. ANOVA-Test and Linear Regression were performed. Results: A group of women (N = 132, 78%) with normal weight (19 < BMI < 24) showed dissatisfaction with their weight and wanted to reduce it. Overweight and obese women scored significantly higher on the subscale Body Dissatisfaction on the EDI-2 than women with lower BMI. In comparison to the older group (50-59), the younger group (30-39) and middle-aged group (40-49) expressed the desire to lose weight with a lower BMI. Conclusions: In comparison to age, the BMI had a stronger impact on the psychological and behavioral traits related to the eating disorders among a group of middle-aged Chinese women.