Differences in Body Dissatisfaction With Respect to BMI Classification and Gender

Abstract

Objective: To determine if differences in body dissatisfaction with respect to body mass index (BMI) classifications and sex exist in school-aged children. Design, Setting and Participants: Each participating thirdto fifth-grade student (44 male and 33 female students) completed a body image questionnaire and BMI measures. Participants were then classified according to their BMI and sex. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in body image with respect to BMI classification and sex. Results: Significant interactions were identified, revealing that body dissatisfaction does occur in the preadolescent groups with respect to sex and weight classifications and how peers want participants to look (P < .05). More specifically, the overweight boys had more body image dissatisfaction than any of the students in the female BMI classifications and other male BMI classifications. Conclusions and Implications: School-age children may exemplify body dissatisfaction. Furthermore, sex and BMI classification have an effect on children’s body dissatisfaction. Body satisfaction is an area that needs to be addressed educationally with this population to help promote healthy behaviors.