Habits, beliefs and behaviors in high school adolescents in relation to Body Mass Index

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to contrast differences between groups with normal weight, overweightand obesity in the different subscales that comprise the scale of Overeating Questionnaire (OQ), also toobserve if OQ scores correlate with body mass index (BMI). The sample was not random, of intentionaltype, constituted of 518 high school adolescents, with an age rank from 12 to 16 years (m= 13.11, s =.75). We found a generally acceptable reliability of the scale, a ³ ranging from 0.75 to 0.91. It was foundthat in the group with obesity there is an increase of problems related to excess weight, such as impairedbody image, food intake and rationalizations; as well as motivation to lose weight. It is suggested toinvestigate the effect of locus of control (rationalization) and family environment for teens reduce theirweight.