engleski

Gender, sport experience and attitude toward dieting in adolescents

Comparing with other parts of population, higher risk of eating disorder development is in female adolescents and athletes of both sexes (Ambrosi-Randic, 2004 ; Halgin and Krauss Whitbourne, 1994 ; Lavallee et al., 2004). Dieting to reduce weight is a very common behavior among girls. Schleimer (1983) reports that up to 80% of girls diet at some point during adolescence. Cashmore (2002) states that prevalence of eating disorders in athletes varies from 4 to 22 per cent. The aim of this study is to determine the existence of interaction of gender and sport achievement in attitude toward dieting intensity. In this research, 212 male and 735 female high school students aged 14 to 20 years were given General attitude toward dieting scale (Bosnar and Ambrosi-Randic, 2004.). Sport achievement was assessed by 6-point scale, starting with "I newer participated in any sport" and finishing with "In my sport career I achieved international results". Two-factor analysis of variance shows statistically significant difference in attitude intensity regarding gender, and no difference regarding sport participation and interaction of gender and sport achievement. As expected, female students have significantly more positive attitude toward dieting. Sport engagement was not proved as a factor of attitude toward dieting in adolescents, using achievement as a measure of sport participation. There is the possibility that the relationship of sport participation and attitude, as well as interaction of gender and sport behavior in dieting attitudes is sport specific.

adolescence; sport; dieting

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