The role of weight status, gender and self-esteem in following a diet among middle-school children in Sicily (Italy).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Weight-related issues such as obesity, dieting and eating disorders in adolescents are major public health problems. Moreover, undertaking a diet tends to be common among school children and the reasons for doing so are not always related to weight status. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the role of body mass index (BMI), gender and self-esteem in the adoption of a diet in middle-school Sicilian children.

Methods

The survey included middle-school children in some Sicilian provinces. Weight status was determined by sex-specific body mass index for age according to the international BMI cut-off proposed by Cole. Classic chi-square test and linear trend chi-square were used to compare percentages. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were com

SUBMITTER: Ferrante M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2881097 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature