Abstract

Dr. Sheikh Shahid

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study is to see the effect of obesity and urban-rural belongingness upon avoidant personality disorder in a group of adolescent boys. For the present study, 200 obese adolescent boys (Av. age 15.25 yrs.) and 200 normal weight adolescent boys (Av. age 15.12 yrs.) from various govt. and private schools of Chhattisgarh operational in the rural and urban area were selected to serve as a sample for the present study. The criterion for selection of subjects was based on WHO (2000) classification of body mass index (BMI) which BMI between 18.0-24.99 is considered to be normal weight while BMI >30 is considered to be obese. To assess anxious or avoidant personality disorder, Jodhpur Multiphasic Personality Inventory prepared by Joshi and Malik (1981) was preferred. To conduct the study, a 2x2 factorial design was set up in which grades of BMI automatically have two levels i.e. normal and obese. Similarly, urban-rural belongingness also has two levels i.e. boys of urban and rural areas. On the basis of results, grades of BMI emerged as a significant predictor of avoidant personality disorder among adolescent boys while urban-rural belongingness did not show any influence upon avoidant personality disorder. The two factor interaction effect of obesity and urban-rural belongingness of adolescent boys did not show any significant influence upon avoidant personality disorder. It was concluded that obesity in adolescence may lead to social inhibition and avoidance of social interaction in adolescent boys.