Variables antropométricas, hábitos y dietas alimentarias en adolescentes y jóvenes: diferencias en función del sexo

The study aimed to analyze sex differences in an­thropometric variables (real, perceived, and desired), eating habits, and the use of diets. Participants were 1,075 adolescents and youth aged 14 to 25 (49.9 % males, 50.1 % females). Using a descriptive and comparative design, three assessment instruments were administered. The results confirm many signifi­cant sex differences. In anthropometric variables, girls perceive themselves as more obese than they are and they want to be thinner; boys perceive them­selves as thin as or thinner than they are and they want to have greater body volume. Boys want to have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), and girls want a lower one. Girls score significantly higher in eating habits, although boys perceive their diet as more bal­anced. The girls have followed more diets and be­lieve they need them more. In boys, the reasons for weight gain are biological and in girls, due to im­proper eating habits. Girls follow more diets, both healthy and not recommended. In girls, the reason for starting a diet is body image and in boys, peer ac­ceptance. Boys attribute quitting a diet to the diet it­self, and girls attribute it to themselves. The study provides relevant data for the design of prevention and/or treatment programs targeting adoles­cents/youth with eating problems, either due to alter­ations in body image, unsuitable eating habits, and/or misuse of diets. ResumenEl estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las diferencias entre sexos en variables antropométricas (reales, percibidas y deseadas), en hábitos alimentarios, y en el uso de dietas alimentarias. Los participantes fueron 1.075 adolescentes y jóvenes de 14 a 25 años (49.9 % varones, 50.1 % mujeres). Con un diseño descriptivo y comparativo, se administraron tres instrumentos de evaluación. Los resultados confirman muchas diferencias significativas entre sexos. En variables antropométricas las chicas se perciben más obesas de lo que están y desean estar más delgadas; los chicos se perciben igual o más delgados de lo que están y desean tener un volumen corporal superior. Los chicos desean tener un Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) superior y las chicas inferior. Las chicas obtienen puntuaciones significativamente superiores en hábitos alimentarios, aunque los chicos perciben que tienen una alimentación más equilibrada. Las chicas han realizado más dietas y creen necesitarlas más. Las razones para engordar en los chicos son biológicas y en las chicas hábitos alimentarios inadecuados. Las chicas realizan más dietas tanto saludables como no recomendables. Las razones para comenzar una dieta son en las chicas la imagen corporal y en los chicos ser aceptado por los iguales. El abandono de las dietas los chicos lo atribuyen a la dieta y las chicas a sí mismas. El estudio aporta datos relevantes para el diseño de programas preventivos y/o de tratamiento con adolescentes/jóvenes con problemas alimentarios, bien por alteraciones de la imagen corporal, hábitos alimentarios inadecuados y/o por el uso indebido de dietas alimentarias. AbstractThe study aimed to analyze sex differences in an­thropometric variables (real, perceived, and desired), eating habits, and the use of diets. Participants were 1,075 adolescents and youth aged 14 to 25 (49.9 % males, 50.1 % females). Using a descriptive and comparative design, three assessment instruments were administered. The results confirm many signifi­cant sex differences. In anthropometric variables, girls perceive themselves as more obese than they are and they want to be thinner; boys perceive them­selves as thin as or thinner than they are and they want to have greater body volume. Boys want to have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), and girls want a lower one. Girls score significantly higher in eating habits, although boys perceive their diet as more bal­anced. The girls have followed more diets and be­lieve they need them more. In boys, the reasons for weight gain are biological and in girls, due to im­proper eating habits. Girls follow more diets, both healthy and not recommended. In girls, the reason for starting a diet is body image and in boys, peer ac­ceptance. Boys attribute quitting a diet to the diet it­self, and girls attribute it to themselves. The study provides relevant data for the design of prevention and/or treatment programs targeting adoles­cents/youth with eating problems, either due to alter­ations in body image, unsuitable eating habits, and/or misuse of diets.