Endogenous factors that relate to the eating habits of adolescents

Abstract

The aim in this research was to determine how endogenous factors such as gender, intelligence, self-concept, and personality relate to the eating habits of adolescents. An empirical investigation was conducted using 340 secondary school learners, 162 boys and 178 girls. From the results it appeared that girls tend to have more unhealthy eating habits than boys and adolescents with high intelligence are at risk of developing unhealthy eating behaviour. A strong relationship existed between the physical self and eating habits. The most important personality factors associated with eating habits were social boldness and individualism.


South African Journal of Education Vol.24(3) 2004: 189-193