Risk and protective factors for eating, weight, and body image problems
What is the influence of puberty on eating, weight, and body image concerns?
- Weight gain is normal during puberty and should be expected*
- On average, girls ages 11-14 will gain 40 pounds as they go through puberty*
- Boys grow taller before gaining muscle.*
- Some children grow out then up, others will grow out -everybody is different.*
- Puberty and late teen/early adult years are the two most common times of onset for an eating disorder.*
- Girls typically gain about one-third of their adult weight during puberty. They gain fat in the hips and breasts. If a girl is uneasy about her weight gain she is at risk for dieting, over-exercise and disordered eating.
- Boys mature more slowly than girls. They may be body-dissatisfied during puberty because they are too small, not muscular enough, or overweight.
- Self-esteem in girls decreases starting at age 12 through adolescence at the same time their hormones and bodies are dramatically changing.
*From 2003-2005 National Eating Disorders Association -www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
