Wrong eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction often appear during adolescence and can be prodromic of an Eating Disorder (ED). The “Body Image 2007” (BI07) preliminary survey, originates from the growing need to aquire informations about eating behaviors, ED knowledge and body image of Friuli Venezia-Giulia's (North-East of Italy) teenagers.The survey included ED knowledge, body image, eating habits, alcohol abuse, cultural pressure for thinness, physical appearance and self-esteem. Ninety students (male n=50 ; female n=40 ; mean age 15 +/- 1) attending a secondary school in Trieste were assigned to the BI07 survey.They were also subministered the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT12), the Inventory for Screening of Eating Disorders (ISED) and the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI2) to evaluate risk factors for an ED. Results indicate that binge episodes were frequent between male sample instead than in female one ((F = 6,716 ; p < 0.01) and was correlated (r = .51 ; p < 0.01) with EAT12 Bulimia subscale. Self-esteem was higher in males (F = 28,226 p < 0,0001) that were rarely on a self-managed diet than female students ((F = 57,973 ; p < 0.0001).This result was correlated (r = .76 ; p < 0,0001) with Drive for Thinness EAT12 subscale. Female students rated their physical appearance significantly higher (F = 8,875 p < 0.005) than males, and this was correlated (r = .47 p < 0.01) with body dissatisfaction. The findings of BI07 give encouraging results and will continue in a forthcoming study on larger samples.

1. A preliminary survey
on eating behaviors and body image concerns
among adolescents of Friuli Venezia-Giulia
(Italy)
Emanuel Mian*
*
Istituto di Ricerca Internazionale sul Disagio e la Salute nell’Adolescenza
(International Research Institute for Health and Uneasiness during Adolescence)
18-20 October 2007
Alpbach-Tyrol Austria

2. BODY IMAGE 07 (BI07)
A pilot-prevention program for boys and girls aged 1517
Wrong eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction often appear during adolescence and can be prodromic of an
EatingDisorder
There is a growing need to aquire informations about eating behaviors, ED knowledge and body image concerns
of Friuli Venezia-Giulia's (North-East of Italy) teenagers.
•4 classes
•6 meetings
•2 hours duration each

3. BODY IMAGE 07 (BI07)
A pilot-prevention program for boys and girls aged 1517
12 hours of Prevention-Information-Discussion on
•Eating Disorders
•Eating Attitudes
•Eating Habits
•Body Image Issues
•Cultural Pressure for thinness- Eastern Model of Beauty
•Physical Activities- Healthy foods
•How Mass-Media manipulate images and videos-Critical discussions

4. BODY IMAGE 07 (BI07)
Is also a pilot screening for at risk populations in Friuli Venezia Giulia
During the first day in the classroom
Questionnaire developed by I.R.I.D.S.A.
•ED Knowledge
•Binge presence
•Perception of own/others bodies
•Self-Esteem/Life Skills
•Drinking-Smoking-Sport Activities
Validated Questionnaires
•Eating Attitudes Test 12 items (EAT-12)
(Gardner & Garfinkel, 1979)
•Inventory for the Screening of Eating Disorders (ISED)
(Santonastaso et al, 2000)
•Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2)
(Garner & Olmsted 1986)

5. Sample Size
(mean age 15 +/- 1)

11. Correlations
Purge behaviors in females correlated with Binge Eating (r=.49) and history of diet (r=41)
Frequency of scale weight-checking in females correlated with history of diet ( r=.48)
All Pearson’s correlations are significant at p<.01 except when indicated with * that are at p<.0001

12. Conclusions
•Female participants were on a diet at the moment or during the last year
•71%, are still controlling their weight on a scale from “often to very often”-daily basis
•34% perceived themselves as “fatty” even if they have a normal weight
•Most of them think they have no good qualities and are not proud of themselves
Males participants didn’t
Males= Feeling Normalweight or Skinny (protective factor from ED?)
NO DIET
NO WEIGHT CONTROL
GOOD SELF-ESTEEM
Presence of Binge Behaviors (why?)
Females= CONSTANT DIET +
WEIGHT CONTROL +
LOW SELF-ESTEEM +
INEFFECTIVENESS
Presence of Purge Behaviors
There is a strong need for prevention programs addressing body image concerns such
as the “drive for thinness”, “the competitivity for thinness” but with an eye to low levels
of self-esteem and the perception of low life-skills.
On the other hand we must help youngsters to express themselves and their emotions
finding the words and the way to tell what they feel.

13. Thanks
To all of you for the attention and to…
18-20 October 2007
Alpbach-Tyrol Austria