Influences of locus of control, body image, and parental attitudes on high school students' eating attitudes

Eating attitudes have been one of the important topics investigated in recent years as it causes physical and psychological problems. Especially in terms of changes in eating attitude behavior, adolescence is important. The occurrence of disorders in eating attitude behavior does not depend on a single variable. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the predictors affecting eating attitude. The sample of the study consists of high school students whose age varies between 15-18 years old. A total of 318 people were reached and scales were applied. Eating Attitude Test (EAT), Body Perception Scale (BAI), Locus of Control Scale (KOÖ), Abbreviated Perceived Parental Attitude Test (KAETT) were applied to the participants to investigate their effects on eating attitude. In the study, eating attitude, locus of control, body perception and perceived parental attitudes were compared in terms of gender and Body Mass Index (BMI) variables. In addition, eating attitude, body perception, internal-external control focus and perceived parental attitudes were examined. In line with the findings, it was found that body perception and perceived parental attitudes differ significantly in terms of gender and Body Mass Index (BMI) variables. When the relation of eating attitude to body perception, internal and external control focus, and perceived parental attitudes was examined, a positive and significant relationship was found between internal control focus, rejection attitudes perceived by parents and excessive protective attitude perceived from father. Warmth attitude perceived from mother and eating attitude were found to be negatively and significantly correlated. When the predictors of eating attitude were examined, it was found that rejection attitude perceived from the father were significant predictors. The high level of rejection attitudes perceived by the fathers and internal control focus of female students explains that the eating attitude is in an abnormal course. It is thought that the findings obtained may contribute to preventive and protective programs that can contribute to high school students' healthy psychosocial development process or to raise awareness of parents. Keywords: Body Image, Eating Attitudes, Locus of Control, Parental Attitudes