Perceived and Ideal Body Image Perceptions among American and Czech Children and Parents

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate body image perceptions of Czech school-aged children and their parents and compare them to the perceptions of American children and parents. Design: Descriptive correlational study. Data from children and parents were collected using a previously developed silhouette body image instrument. Setting: Public schools in one American and two Czech cities. Participants: 97 Czech and 45 American 4–6th graders and their parents from urban public schools. Variables Measured: Demographic and anthropometric variables, and perceived and ideal body images of children and parents. Analysis: Independent t-tests compared perceptions between children and parents. Paired t-tests compared differences between children’s and parents’ perceived and ideal body size. Bivariate correlations identified significant associations between body image perceptions and other variables. Results: American children had a thinner ideal body image compared to Czech children (p<0.05). The ideal body image of American and Czech parents was similar (p=0.858). Parental education was significantly associated with a thinner ideal body image among American children (p<0.05). Conclusions: American children are more dissatisfied with their body size than Czech children. Future studies should explore factors responsible for American children developing a thinner ideal body image compared to Czech children.