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Abstract
There have been many studies completed to understand how locus of control relates to eating disordered behaviors in women. Much of this research focuses on women with eating disorders. This study investigated the relationship between locus of control, body satisfaction, and preoccupation with weight and dieting in a non-eating disordered college female population. This population was chosen because previous studies have identified this group as being “at risk” for developing eating disorders. Measures of these variables were given to 156 undergraduate women at various New Jersey state colleges. A small but significant relationship was found between locus of control and body dissatisfaction. A significant relationship was also found between locus of control and preoccupation with weight and dieting. The results indicate that the more external the individual the higher degree of body dissatisfaction and the more preoccupied with weight and dieting.
