Selfkonsep, eethoudings, beleefde lokus van kontrole en obesiteit by 'n groep kinders in die Noordwes-Provinsie

Abstract

The aim of this reasearch was to determine the relationships between self-concept, eating attitudes, locus of control and obesity among a group of children in the North West Province, in the age group 10 - 15 years, and also if variables such as gender, age and culture have an influence. Self-concept, eating attitudes, locus of control and obesity, together with the relationship between these constructs were analysed from the relevant literature. The roles of gender, culture and age as possible moderating variables were also investigated. In the empirical investigation, a stratified sample of 423 respondents in the age group 10 - 15 years from the North West Province (from both genders and including all the culture groups) was used. In the present investigation self-concept was operationalised by the Piers-Harris Children 's Self-Concept Scale of Piers (1984). Eating attitudes and locus of control were operationalised through the Thusa Bana Eating Attitudes Scale and the Thus a Bana Locus of Control Scale that were developed for the present study. Obesity was determined by antropometrists by means of BMI-indexes and the determination of fat percentage by measuring skinfolds. Satisfactory reliability indices were obtained for all the scales, with exclusion of the Thusa Bana Locus of Control Scale, for which the reliability indices were unacceptable. Validity for all the scales were satisfactory with exception of the Thusa Bana Locus of Control Scale which manisfested poor validity, and could consequently not be used furhter for the present group. Self-concept differed significantly between the different culture groups with no differences between the gender and age groups. Differences with regard to eating attitudes were found between the

obese and non-obese group, and between the culture groups, but no differences were found between the gender and age groups. Because of the poor psychometric properties of the Thusa Bana Locus of Control Scale it has not been used in further analysis. Statistically significant relationships were found between the variables (self-concept, eating attitudes and fat percentage/obesity), but these differences were not practically significant. Some subscales of the scales that measured eating attitudes and self-concept , seem to be good predictors for body weight. In conclusion recommendations for further research were presented