The Association between Disordered Eating Behavior and Body Image Biological Maturation and Levels of Adipocytokines in Preadolescent Girls: The Healthy Growth Study

During puberty, rapid, complex hormonal, physical and cognitive changes occur that affect body image eating behavior. The aim of this cross-sectional study, a secondary analysis data from the Greek Healthy Growth Study, was to explore associations disordered behaviors in 1206 10–12-year-old girls during pubertal maturation, with serum leptin adiponectin levels, according mass index (BMI). Eating behavior were assessed Dutch Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) Children Attitudes Test (ChEAT), respectively. Associations components DEBQ ChEAT maturation Tanner Stage (TS) levels explored by univariate multivariate regression analysis. Adiponectin at TS 1 positively associated “social pressure eat” score ChEAT. Leptin 4 correlated “restraint eating” DEBQ, “dieting”, “body image” “food awareness” scores After adjustment for BMI, only remained significant. Further research may shed light on how these hormonal various stages, contributing “TS-specific” preventive strategies disorders girls.