Assessing Body Image in Young Children

Kristin E Heron,Stephen A Wonderlich,Joshua M Smyth,Esther Akano

doi:10.1177/2158244013478013

Kristin E Heron, Stephen A Wonderlich + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244013478013

Copy DOI

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine body image discrepancies in elementary-age children in a racially diverse sample. Body image and body image discrepancy were measured in elementary school children ( N = 58) of various racial groups (35% Hispanic, 33% African American, 16% Caucasian, 14% other). Each participant was shown a set of silhouette figure drawings and reported current and ideal body sizes. Children’s body discrepancies appear to change between Grades 1 and 2. Notable discrepancies between their current and ideal figures, and their current figure and those that they believe are most attractive, are largely absent in Grade 1, but are evident in Grade 2 and older children. No substantive racial or gender differences in body image perceptions or dissatisfaction were observed in this sample. Body image dissatisfaction may begin as early as second grade in both girls and boys of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. These findings provide preliminary evidence that body discrepancies may begin much earlier than previously thought.

Highlights

Body image dissatisfaction has been demonstrated to predict poor psychological well-being and can precede the onset of unhealthy eating behaviors in adolescence and adulthood (Stice, 2002)
This study addressed three primary questions: (a) “Do older children report larger body images and discrepancies than younger children?” It was hypothesized that older children would select larger body figures and report a larger discrepancy than younger children. (b) “Do children of diverse racial backgrounds report different levels of body image perception and discrepancy?” No predictions about how racial groups may differ were made because previous research is inconsistent on this point. (c) “Do boys and girls in kindergarten through third grade experience similar levels of body image discrepancy?” Previous research suggests gender differences are apparent beginning at about age 8, but there is more inconsistent evidence in children younger than 8 (e.g., Gardner et al, 1997; Hendy et al, 2001; Lowes & Tiggemann, 2003)
This study used a relatively small sample of young children, the findings are generally consistent with previous research examining body image concerns in older, less ethnically diverse samples (Jung & Peterson, 2007; Robinson et al, 2001; Rolland et al, 1997)

Summary

Introduction

Body image dissatisfaction has been demonstrated to predict poor psychological well-being and can precede the onset of unhealthy eating behaviors in adolescence and adulthood (Stice, 2002). Evidence suggests that children as young as 8 years report wanting to be thinner than their current body sizes, wishing they weighed less, and having tried dieting (Jung & Peterson, 2007; Robinson, Chang, Haydel, & Killen, 2001). (b) “Do children of diverse racial backgrounds report different levels of body image perception and discrepancy?” No predictions about how racial groups may differ were made because previous research is inconsistent on this point. (c) “Do boys and girls in kindergarten through third grade experience similar levels of body image discrepancy?” Previous research suggests gender differences are apparent beginning at about age 8, but there is more inconsistent evidence in children younger than 8 (e.g., Gardner et al, 1997; Hendy et al, 2001; Lowes & Tiggemann, 2003). It was hypothesized that younger boys and girls would report more similar body image perceptions and discrepancies, and that gender differences would not emerge until about Grade 2 (approximately age 8)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion