Association between body image dissatisfaction and obesity among schoolchildren aged 7–10 years

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the association between body image dissatisfaction and measurements of obesity - body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage - in students aged 7 to 10years in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina. MethodsBody image dissatisfaction was assessed by the Figure Rating Scale for Brazilian children. Association analyses were performed using multinomial logistic regression. ResultsBody dissatisfaction was prevalent in 82.9% of the students, of whom 59.9% desired a smaller body size and 23.0% desired a larger body size, with a significant difference between the sexes. In boys, overweight, obesity and central obesity remained associated with the desire for a smaller body size, whereas for girls overweight and excess body fat were associated with the desire for a smaller body size. ConclusionsThe results point to a normative discontent and indicate the need to include the topic of body image in the school curriculum.