The Development of Disordered Eating and Body Image Issues in Latina Adolescent Girls: A Grounded Theory Approach

Despite being a growing sector of the United States (U.S.) and being at disproportionate risk for certain eating disorders, Latina adolescent girls are relatively understudied in the eating disorder (ED) field. Quantitative studies elucidate that a combination of sociocultural risk factors is associated with elevated risk for disordered eating and body image issues among Latinas, including messages received from peers, family, and the media; acculturation and enculturation; familial relationship quality; self-objectification; and discrimination. However, qualitative research examining how EDs develop in Latina girls from various countries of origin is limited and would provide greater insight into the lived experiences of Latina adolescent girls that are often not captured by questionnaire-based studies. Therefore, using separate semi-structured group discussions and individual interviews with Latina adolescent girls (aged 13-17) and their mothers, this study sought to examine risk and protective factors of disordered eating and body image issues in Latina adolescent girls. A total of 14 mother-daughter dyads participated in this study. Utilizing a grounded theory qualitative analysis framework: four overarching themes emerged as factors associated with disordered eating and body image issues in Latina adolescent girls: body image standards and media exposure, peer relationships and schooling, family relationships and ED history, and home food environment. These findings contextualize results obtained in previous quantitative studies and have important implications for developing culturally sensitive prevention and treatment recommendations for Latina adolescent girls in the U.S