Eating Attitudes in Relation to Perfectionism, Impulsivity, Locus of Control, Body Shape and Body-Esteem among Adolescents

Health related problems such as obesity found to be related with eating attitudes. In the present study, a non clinical sample of 150 adolescents (75 males and 75 females) from the different schools of Amritsar city ranging from 16 to 18 years of age were included. Majority of the students attending the private schools were from middle class. All the participants completed six questionnaires named Eating Attitude Test, Multi Dimensional Perfectionism Scale, Barrat's Impulsivity Scale, Locus Of Control, Body Esteem Scale, Body Shape Questionnaire and along with these their Height and Weight were also measured. The study revealed that the eating attitudes of females differ from males. The males score higher on all the subscales of eating attitude test. The physical condition of males is better than females. The phenomenon of eating attitudes is more complex among females than males. Eating attitudes among females are linked with concern over mistakes, locus of control, body shape, parental expectation and control, organization and personal standards. On the other hand eating attitudes among males is related to concern over mistakes, body shape and individual control.