The Predictors of Body Dissatisfaction in 8− tolO- Year Old African American Girls

Abstract

African American (AA) girls are at increased risk for obesity and related conditions. Although AA girls report larger preferred body size than their White counterparts, studies show significant body size dissatisfaction for AA girls. Potential influences on body image dissatisfaction for this population are not well documented. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore influences on body dissatisfaction in 8- to 10- year old AA girls. METHODS: This study included 286 AA girls participating in a baseline assessment of the Girls health Enrichment Mulit-site Study, a weight gain prevention intervention. Body dissatisfaction was assessed by calculating the difference between perception of actual and ideal body size. Other measures included: age, maturation, body mass index (BMI), 24-hr dietary intake recall, accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA), and psychosocial measures of self-esteem, self-concept of PA, overconcern with weight/shape, and weight control behaviors. RESULTS: BMI did not significantly interact with the other variables; thus, a hierarchical linear regression was used to determine influences. Ten independent variables were entered into the regression as blocks. Block one included control variables: age, maturation, and BMI. Block two was the energy variables: moderate to vigorous activity and total energy intake. Block three included psychosocial variables: self-esteem, self-concept of PA, overconcern with weight/shape, frequency of weight loss attempts, and frequency of exercising to control weight. The control variables significantly explained 33.9% of the variance in body dissatisfaction (p=.000); the second block was not significant (R2 change = .5%; p=.357), and the third block indicated the psychosocial factors added an additional 5.9% (p=.000). The full model explained 40.3% (p=.000) of the variance with two of the ten variables significantly contributing to the variance explained: BMI (β-.425), and frequency of weight loss attempts (β = −.235). CONCLUSIONS: Certain physical and psychosocial factors influence body dissatisfaction. Further research is needed to delineate other influences in order to better prevent body image distortion.