Highlights characteristics of most anorectic sufferers while describing three books on the topic. Offers an extended bibliography of several additional books about anorexia nervosa. (MG)

Explored whether the links of depression, eating problems, and body image that apply to women also apply to men. A study of 234 male and female college students showed depression was higher in those with negative body image for both men and women. Depression accounted for significant variability in eating problems only in women. (GR)

Smoking among young women is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. Gender-specific influences on smoking, quitting, and attempting to quit were hypothesized and surveyed. More women than men currently smoke, but quitting attempts are equally common. Programs addressing issues of concern to young women smokers are needed. (AF)

Offers advice to parents of children with eating disorders, focusing on the warning signs of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Suggestions for parents who think their children have eating disorders are provided. Parents are encouraged to be positive role models and be sensitive to stress. (SM)

Obesity stereotypes and anti fat attitudes influence the social behavior of middle school students according to a study presented last June at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Using a series of questionnaires and fat and thin silhouette figures, the researchers quizzed 176 boys and 141 girls between the ages of…

Eating disorders among athletes has become an important topic both nationally and internationally. This volume of empirically focused articles presents theory, issues, and the latest research in a concise form for a variety of audiences. The 11 chapters are: (1) "Eating Disorders among Athletes: Current Perspective" (D. R. Black); (2)…

The current emphasis on thinness has had a negative impact on many women and girls who suffer from a negative body image, poor self-concept, and depression, three conditions that often manifest themselves behaviorally through chronic dieting, compulsive exercise, and eating disorders. Socio-cultural factors that have contributed to this emphasis…

A discriminant function analysis identified variables that significantly differentiated bulimic (N=71) from nonbulimic (N=71) adolescent females within a high school setting. These variables included disturbed eating attitudes, negative perception of weight and body image, depressive symptomatology, and alcohol use. Implications for the etiology…

Research pertaining to female athletes' problems with secondary amenorrhea is reviewed. Studies point to stress, weight loss, anorexia nervosa, obesity, arduous athletic training, and age of onset of training as factors which may contribute to this disorder. (PP)

An example of behavior modification used in athletic coaching is presented. The case study involves a member of a women's basketball team and details the use of behavior modification for both weight reduction and skill improvement. (JMF)

Body build stereotypes of average-weight and heavy females, ages 6, 15, and 19, were studied through adjective checklists and drawings of endomorphs, ectomorphs, and mesomorphs. Mesomorph drawings were favored and the endomorphs least liked. But heavy subjects rejected for themselves behavioral stereotypes previously applied to the endomorph…

This study examined the adult body shape preferences of 6- and 10-year-olds from the United States, Mainland China, and Turkey. Findings indicated that even the youngest children preferred thin, male and female figures and least preferred the very obese figures. Heavier female figures were chosen by Turkish children more than by other children.…

Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral group programs for weight control were effective among 32 college women in reducing weight and alleviating depressed mood, fear of negative evaluations, and social avoidance and distress. Addition of cognitive restructuring component failed to improve efficacy of behavioral weight control program even on…

The article reports a study that examined relationships between self-esteem, health promotion, nutrition, and weight among female college freshmen. Questionnaires completed by 57 female students indicated that high self-esteem positively related to the practice of healthy behaviors, good nutrition, and satisfaction with present weight. (SM)

Addresses issue of whether underweight, normal-weight, and overweight adolescent females who maintain perception of being too fat differ with respect to loneliness, hopelessness, and shyness from each other and from those who do not think they are fat. Results indicate that underweight girls with perception of being too fat suffer significantly…