Randomized trial examines body image distress and eating behaviors in adolescent girls, suggesting social networks play a crucial role.
Key Points
This study aims to explore how body image distress relates to disordered eating behaviors among high school girls using social network analysis.
Data from the Korean Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed, focusing on 315 female high school students.
Self-report questionnaires assessed eating behaviors, body image distress, depressive symptoms, and social network characteristics.
Ordinal and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships.
Cohort 23 students reported lower body image distress and binge eating than Cohort 22 (p<0.05).
Underweight status (BMI <18.5) was linked to lower body image distress and less binge eating, while obesity correlated with body image distress.
Higher in-degree centrality in social networks was protective against body image distress; higher out-degree centrality related to increased body image distress and fewer dieting behaviors.