Abnormalities in weight status, eating attitudes, and eating behaviors among urban high school students: correlations with self-esteem and anxiety.

PURPOSE: The study's objective was to determine the prevalence of abnormalities in weight, eating attitudes, and eating behaviors among an urban teenage population.
METHODS: Measures of weight, height, and blood pressure were obtained from 1,001 students attending regularly scheduled physical education classes in a New York City high school the population of which was 66% black and 23% Hispanic. The mean age was 16 years old; 55% were female and 45% were male. Approximately three quarters of the students completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a questionnaire on eating behaviors.
RESULTS: By percent ideal body weight (%IBW), 25% of students were obese (>20% above IBW), 18% were overweight, and 5% were underweight. Abnormal EAT scores (>21), were found in 6% of males and 15% of females. Students reported that they had engaged in the following nutritional behaviors at least three times in the past week: eating candy (59%), skipping breakfast (58%), skipping lunch (42%), eating fast foods (28%), and skipping dinner (14%). Self-esteem was high in 60%, medium in 21%, and low in 19%. Mean self-esteem was significantly higher (P < .0001) than established norms. Self-esteem and anxiety were inversely correlated (r = .40, P < .001), and low self-esteem and high anxiety were both associated with high EAT scores (r = .29, P < .001). Self-esteem and anxiety of obese students did not differ from those who were of normal weight.
CONCLUSIONS: Among this population of urban high school students there were: (a) a large number of overweight adolescents; (b) a significant subgroup with eating attitudes suggestive of an eating disorder; and (c) high levels of self-esteem and normal levels of anxiety, which were independent of weight status.