The relationship between disordered eating pathology, sense of coherence and body image among adolescent boys in Israel

Background: Disordered eating pathology (DEP) and body dissatisfaction are well-documented risk factors for eating disorders and have become more prevalent among adolescent males. Method: The sample consisted of 256 Israeli boys, in grades 8-12. Participants completed questionnaires measuring, Sense of Coherence (SOC), Body Shape (BSQ), Eating attitudes (EAT-26), and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2). Results: Findings revealed low levels of DEP among adolescent boys. Younger adolescents (grade 8-9) had higher levels of clinically relevant DEP than older adolescents (grade 10-12). SOC was negatively associated with DEP and a significant interaction for age and SOC emerged with younger age being associated with both lower levels of SOC and higher DEP. Conclusion: These results demonstrate a low overall prevalence rate of DEP among adolescent boys and is consistent with the developmental literature relating to SOC and mental health and in contrast with a similar population of girls documented in Israel and the US.