Pathways for Disordered Eating Behaviors in Minority Girls

This study investigated the direct and indirect effects of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors in predicting disordered eating behaviors in girls with overweight/obesity. A total of 135 Hispanic and African American girls ([Formula: see text] = 11.13 ± 1.54 years) completed surveys assessing the desire to be thinner, peer weight-related teasing, disordered eating behaviors, and demographic characteristics. Percent body fat was assessed. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the influence of the desire to be thinner and peer weight-related teasing on percent body fat and disordered eating behaviors. Results indicated that percent body fat was directly related to the desire to be thinner ( p < .01) and peer weight-related teasing ( p < .01), and was indirectly related to disordered eating through its relationship with peer teasing ( p < .05). These findings may be useful in guiding the design of interventions preventing the development of disordered eating behaviors in minority girls.