Demographic differences in and correlates of perceived body image discrepancy among urban adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study

Lorraine B Robbins,Jiying Ling,Kenneth Resnicow

doi:10.1186/s12887-017-0952-3

Lorraine B Robbins, Jiying Ling + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-017-0952-3

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding factors related to girls’ body image discrepancy, which is the difference between self-perceived current or actual and ideal body size, is important for addressing body-related issues and preventing adverse sequelae. Two aims were to: 1) examine demographic differences in body image discrepancy; and 2) determine the association of body image discrepancy with weight status, percent body fat, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cardiovascular (CV) fitness among young adolescent girls.MethodsThe cross-sectional study included a secondary analysis of baseline data from a group randomized controlled trial including 1519 5th–8th grade girls in 24 U.S. schools. Girls completed physical activity and sedentary behavior surveys. To indicate perceived current/actual and ideal body image, girls selected from nine body figures the one that represented how they look now and another showing how they want to look. Girls wore accelerometers measuring physical activity. Height, weight, and percent body fat were assessed. The Progressive Aerobic CV Endurance Run was used to estimate CV fitness. Independent t-test, one- and two-way ANOVA, correlational analyses, and hierarchical linear regressions were performed.ResultsThe majority (67.5%; n = 1023) chose a smaller ideal than current/actual figure. White girls had higher body image discrepancy than Black girls (p = .035). Body image discrepancy increased with increasing weight status (F3,1506 = 171.32, p < .001). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity were negatively correlated with body image discrepancy (r = −.10, p < .001; r = −.14, p < .001, respectively), but correlations were not significant after adjusting for race and body mass index (BMI), respectively. Body image discrepancy was moderately correlated with CV fitness (r = −.55, p < .001). After adjusting for demographics, percent body fat, but not CV fitness or MVPA, influenced body image discrepancy. Girls with higher percent body fat had higher body image discrepancy (p < .001).ConclusionThis study provided important information to guide interventions for promoting a positive body image among girls.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01503333, registration date: January 4, 2012.

Highlights

Understanding factors related to girls’ body image discrepancy, which is the difference between selfperceived current or actual and ideal body size, is important for addressing body-related issues and preventing adverse sequelae
To address some ambiguous findings noted in the literature regarding this area of research, the aims of this study were to: 1) examine demographic differences in body image discrepancy; and 2) determine the association of body image discrepancy with weight status, percent body fat, physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and CV fitness among young adolescent girls in the U.S This study makes an important contribution by including a large sample of girls of minority status and objective measures of their height and weight, percent body fat, PA, and CV fitness
The researchers conducting the latter study explained that a large ideal body size may be consistent with the natural shape of Black girls as they progress through high school and beyond

Summary

Introduction

Understanding factors related to girls’ body image discrepancy, which is the difference between selfperceived current or actual and ideal body size, is important for addressing body-related issues and preventing adverse sequelae. 32.0% of high school girls who completed the 2015 U.S Youth Risk Behavior Survey were overweight or obese, 60.6% reported trying to lose weight [1] Consistent with this finding, Duchesne and colleagues [2] noted that as high as 63.5% of adolescent girls experience poor body image. Body image is widely referred to as the personal internal view or representation [8] or self-evaluation of outer physical appearance [9] This multi-dimensional construct is often assessed by measures of body satisfaction or esteem and weight satisfaction [9].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion