Abstract:
The purpose of this research study was to examine factors related to diet pill usage in late-adolescent females. A total of four-hundred and sixteen females who were 18-21 years old participated in the study. Two-hundred and ten participants reported the use of diet pills while two-hundred and ten participants did not. Participants completed a set of six questionnaires: Personal Data Questionnaire, Body Image Dissatisfaction Scale (Mezzeo, 1999), Media Influence Scale (Young, McFatter & Clopton, 2001), Peer Influence Scale (Young, McFatter & Clopton, 2001), Family Influence Scale (Young, McFatter & Clopton, 2001) and Beliefs about Diet Fill Usage Scale (developed by researcher). Data obtained were analyzed using Discriminant Function Analysis with a stepwise method, and the Wilks' Lambda was examined to determine which factors helped predict diet pill usage in these participants. Findings indicated that five factors helped predict diet pill usage in late-adolescent females. These factors were: beliefs about the efficiency of diet pill usage, body image dissatisfaction, media Influence, belief about side effects of diet pill usage, and monthly income. These factors significantly predicted participants with and without diet pill usage and yielded the total predictive efficiency of 97.40 percents.