Dieting in Spanish adolescent girls

This article examines the relation between dieting and non‐dieting adolescent girls and body mass index (BMI), eating attitudes and the influence of the aesthetic body shape model. Three hundred forty‐nine Spanish adolescent girls in their second year of secondary education were selected. The research design was a cross‐sectional ex post facto study and validated measures were used to assess the main variables. Fourteen per cent of the sample was on a diet. Of this group, 69% were overweight, 70% had disordered eating attitudes and 70% were influenced by the current aesthetic body shape model. In all situations, the scores for dieters were significantly higher than those for non‐dieters. Although there is not yet any clear consensus with regards to how adolescents interpret the term ‘diet’, the results indicate major differences between dieters and non‐dieters and that those who self‐report that they are on a diet present elements of the risk of developing eating and weight disorders. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.