Dieting in adolescence: An application of the theory of planned behaviour

This study examined self‐reported height and weight, self/body esteem, current‐ideal body figure discrepancy, dietary restraint, intentions to diet and underlying beliefs based upon the theory of planned behaviour in 128 11‐year‐olds (61 boys, 67 girls) and 103 13–14‐year‐olds (52 boys, 51 girls). Overall the sample showed low levels of restraint and intentions to diet, although there were a number of significant differences between the age‐sex groups. Restraint and intentions to diet were higher in the girls and restraint was more closely related to current‐ideal body figure discrepancy than actual degree of overweight. Intentions to diet, and restraint were significantly predicted by beliefs about the positive outcomes of dieting, conditions facilitating dieting, and pressure from the media to attain a slim body shape. These variables mediated the effects of actual weight, sex and age but not self/body esteem or current‐ideal body figure discrepancy on intentions and restraint.