The present study examines whether there are gender differences in eating attitudes among a sample of early adolescents in Hawai'i. A total of 79 female and 65 male 7th graders completed a survey that included measures of eating attitudes and other psychological constructs. Contrary to our prediction, males reported higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction than females. However, there were no gender differences in symptom levels of anxiety and depression. Eating attitudes were associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and self-dissatisfaction among females, while only self-dissatisfaction was associated with eating attitudes among males. The findings fail to support past studies that suggest females report more disordered eating attitudes than males.
