Associations of Body-Size and Estimated Body-Composition Indicators with Body-Shape Concerns and Eating Disorder-Related Traits in Adolescents: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a critical period for the development of body-shape concerns and eating disorder-related traits. This study examined sex differences and associations among anthropometric and estimated body-composition indicators, body-shape concerns, and eating disorder-related traits in adolescents.

Methods

This school-based cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 723 adolescents aged 11-17 years (404 boys and 319 girls) from three secondary schools in Valencia, Spain. Anthropometric and skinfold measurements were obtained, and participants completed the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, and Body Dissatisfaction subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 Referral Form. Between-sex comparisons, sex-stratified Spearman correlations, and multivariable linear regression models were performed.