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Prospective Predictors of Body Dissatisfaction in Young Adults: 10-Year Longitudinal Findings

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Emerging Adulthood

Published online on

Abstract

This study identified longitudinal risk factors for body dissatisfaction (BD) over a 10-year period from adolescence to young adulthood. Participants (N = 2,134; age at baseline: M = 15.0, SD = 1.6 years) provided two waves of survey data. A six-step hierarchical linear regression analysis examined the predictive contribution of Time 1 BD, weight status, demographics, family and peer environmental factors, and psychological factors. Among females, Asian race/ethnicity, low self-esteem, greater BD, and higher body mass index (BMI) during adolescence contributed significantly to predicting greater BD at 10-year follow up (R2 = .27). Among males, demographics (i.e., Asian, other-mixed ethnicity, education attainment), depressive symptoms, greater BD, higher BMI, more parent communication, and less peer weight teasing during adolescence contributed to BD at follow-up (R2 = .27). Findings indicate who may be at greatest risk of BD in young adulthood and the types of factors that should be addressed during adolescence.