Abstract
Objective: It is well known that young females are at increased risk to eating disorders (EDs), especially to sub clinical EDs, and that they are related to their own peculiar perceptions. However little is known about sex differences with reference to multi-perceptions of EDs. We therefore report on sex differences not only in multi-perceptions but also in comprehensive perceptions using hypothetical models for EDs in healthy collage students. Methods: 262 healthy adolescents completed a questionnaire relating to their views on hypercompetitive attitude, gender tendency, eating attitude, and their ideal versus current body size and shape. Statistical analysis was made using the SPSS/PC Factor software, and AMOS. Results: Females, as compared to males, showed a tendency to perceive their current body image as bigger (t(260)=2.35, p<0.01), and ideal body as thinner (t(260)=2.48, p<0.0001) than they really are. Path analysis revealed similarities and differences between males and females. Body dissatisfaction and femininity are the variables influencing eating attitude only in females. Competitive attitude is the variable influencing more eating attitude in males than in females. Our results suggest that there are fundamental differences between men and women in these models. We recommend that it may be better to make devided cognitive models for males and females.
