Body Image In Children Research Articles

Parental Perspectives on Their Child's Body Image.

Poor body image is a prominent issue affecting youth. In this nationally representative online survey, we explored parents' concerns about their child's appearance, as well as their perceptions of their child's body image concerns and related behaviors and interactions with others. Among the 1653 respondents, weight was parents' most cited body image concern, while more parents perceived that their child was self-conscious about their weight than there were parents concerned about their child's weight. Parental perceptions related to their child's body image can inform providers' efforts to address poor body image, such as around weight, and improve the health and self-esteem of their pediatric patients.

Comprehensive Scoping Review on Body Image Perceptions and Influences in Children and Adolescents.

Conducting a scoping review helps identify research gaps and opportunities, avoid duplication, guide the selection of appropriate methodologies, and base studies on existing evidence. The aim of this study was to map the literature on body image in children and adolescents (0 to 19 years). The present study follows the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA). The search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, LILACS, SciELO, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. A total of 3257 articles were found, of which 2147 were duplicates, resulting in 1110 articles. Of these, 41 met the inclusion criteria. The results were divided into analytical dimensions, including measurement instruments, programs and interventions, social media, sociodemographic aspects, physical activity, personality and cognitive thinking, and studies with specific populations. The results highlight that peer influence, physical activity, media, and the school environment play crucial roles in shaping young people's body image; factors such as sex, age, and socioeconomic context emerge as important variables in understanding body perceptions, and educational interventions and health promotion programs have been shown to be effective in preventing and reducing body dissatisfaction, underscoring the need for multifactorial and collaborative approaches.

Body Neutral Parenting: A Grounded Theory of How to Help Cultivate Healthy Body Image in Children and Adolescents

Body Neutral Parenting: A Grounded Theory of How to Help Cultivate Healthy Body Image in Children and Adolescents

A pre-post evaluation of the impact of the Embrace Kids film on children's and adults' body image and self-compassion

Given the prevalence of body dissatisfaction among young people, which tends to persist into adulthood, a need exists for large-scale interventions that address this problem. Film has been identified as a resource that is well-suited to large-scale dissemination, which can achieve broad impact and reach. Embrace Kids, a film aimed at improving young people’s body image, is one such resource. To evaluate the film’s impact on body image, 55 children (M = 10.59, SD = 1.49) and 47 adults (M = 43.75, SD = 8.54) were recruited from the Australian general public to complete a brief survey before and after viewing the film. After viewing the film, significant increases in state body appreciation, state functionality appreciation and state self-compassion were reported for children (d = 0.46 – 0.61) and adults (d = 0.88 – 1.08). They supported the safety of the film by indicating that it did not make them more concerned about their appearance. Findings provide initial support for the film as a scalable intervention that can be safely task-shifted to non-professional audiences. Future research directions include comparing the effect of Embrace Kids against a control film, and testing the longitudinal impact of the film on trait body image.

Demoralizing Food, Bodies, and Movement: A Phenomenological Exploration of Caregivers’ Experience in a Body-Neutral Parenting Support Group

Body neutrality is a concept wherein individuals accept their bodies as a vessel that carries them through life, and as such, do not attach positive or negative feelings to their physicality. Integrating body neutrality into the parenting approach appears to be impactful for the body image and self-efficacy of children and their caregivers alike. To gain an understanding of how to promote healthy body image for children and adolescents, this phenomenological investigation explored parents’ ( N = 7) experience with a body-neutral parenting support group. We identified three main themes: (a) increased awareness of the impact of food and body talk, (b) the value of unlearning and learning body-neutral parenting skills, and (c) a safe space for community and connection. Implications for humanistic counselors are provided.

Investigating the structural relationships of self-efficacy, body image and mindfulness with behavioral regulation in students

Introduction: It is very important to know the factors that influence motivational processes in children’s participation in physical activities. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the structural relationships of self-efficacy, body image, and mindfulness with behavioral regulation of students in physical activity. Method: The method of this study was descriptive correlation based on structural equations. The statistical population included all male elementary school students in Tabriz city in the academic year 2021-2022, and the statistical sample included 384 students selected by an available sample. Self-efficacy (Pender et al., 2002), Body Image (Cash et al., 2004), Mindfulness (Ahern et al., 2011), and Behavioral Regulation (Ryan et al., 2019) questionnaires were used for data collection. Pearson’s correlation test and structural equations with SPSS version 26 and Lisrel version 8 programs were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed a direct and significant relationship between self-efficacy and body image, mindfulness and behavioral regulation (P<0.001), and a direct and significant relationship between body image and mindfulness and behavioral regulation (P<0.001), and mindfulness had a direct and significant relationship with behavioral regulation (P<0.001). Finally, the theoretical model of the research had a good fit. Conclusion: This study showed that self-efficacy, body image, and mindfulness improve students’ behavioral regulation in physical activity participation. Therefore; it is necessary to develop appropriate strategies and interventions, especially by physical education teachers, to teach techniques to increase self-efficacy, body image, and mindfulness in children.

Parental Pressure on Child Body Image, BMI, Body Image Dissatisfaction Associated with Eating Disorders in School-Age Children in China: A Path Analysis.

Children's eating behaviors, body shape and body image cognition may be more susceptible to the influence of their parents, but these influences may be weakened with age. There may be different association pathways between parental pressure on children's body image (PPCBI), body mass index (BMI), body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorders (EDs) among children and adolescents at different developmental stages. The stratified cluster sampling method (Stratified by grade, and took the classes as clusters) was used to select 486 students aged 8-15 years in two 9-year schools. Children's body height, weight, testicular volume and breast development were measured. PPCBI, BID, and EDs were investigated using the Appearance-related Social Stress Questionnaire, Body Size Questionnaire (BID-14), and EDI-1 scale, respectively. The boys before puberty initiation had significantly higher EDs score (182.3±50.8) than girls before puberty initiation (164.1±58.1) (P<0.05). There were significant association pathways of PPCBI→BMI→BID→EDs and PPCBI→BID→EDs in boys before puberty initiation (β=0.035, P<0.01; β=0.059, P<0.01), in boys after puberty initiation (β=0.032, P<0.01; β=0.175, P<0.001), and in girls after puberty initiation (β=0.026, P<0.01; β=0.172, P<0.001). There was a positive association pathway of PPCBI→EDs in boys before puberty initiation (β=0.30, P<0.001) and PPCBI→BID→EDs in girls before puberty initiation (β=0.176, P<0.01). Parental pressure on children's body image may positively associate with children's eating disorders through BMI and body image dissatisfaction in boys and girls after puberty initiation and directly associate with eating disorders in boys before puberty initiation; however, it may indirectly associate with eating disorders only through BID in girls before puberty initiation.

Misreporting of height and weight by primary school children in Japan: a cross-sectional study on individual and environmental determinants

BackgroundAppropriate body constitution during childhood is important for future health. However, it has been suggested that thinness is increasing among adolescent girls and boys in Japan. Since misreporting of height/weight may be a possible reflection of the child's ideal body image, we investigated the magnitude and direction of height/weight misreporting and its determinants among Japanese young adolescents.MethodsA total of 1019 children in public primary schools were included in the analysis. Both measured and self-reported values of height/weight were obtained. Misreporting of height/weight was calculated by subtracting the measured value from the self-reported value. The association between misreporting and several variables such as the BMI z-score of individuals and body constitution of surrounding children was explored by multivariate linear mixed models.ResultsAs BMI z-score increased, ‘overreporting’ of height by boys and ‘underreporting’ of height by girls became larger (p = 0.06 in boys, p = 0.02 in girls). Both boys and girls with a larger body size tended to underreport their weight (p < 0.01 in boys, p < 0.01 in girls). Boys who belonged to a school with a larger average BMI z-score were more likely to overreport their weight. This tendency was not observed for girls.ConclusionsSelf-reported height/weight was generally accurate in Japanese primary school children. However, even primary school children misreported their height/weight intentionally like adults, possibly due to social pressure to lose weight or that not to stand out. Thus, health education about appropriate body constitution should be provided from the beginning of adolescence, particularly for girls.

Body satisfaction and self‐perception profile: Reliability and validity analyses of the Children's body image scale for Turkish children

AbstractIn recent years, appearance, and body image in particular, has become a very important concern not only for adults but also for children. Children's self‐evaluation of their bodies is critical in the occurrence of eating disorders. This study aims to conduct (1) a validity and reliability analysis of the Children's Body Image Scale (CBIS) adapted to the Turkish culture and (2) the relationship between body satisfaction, self‐worth and physical appearance. The psychometric properties of the CBIS were examined on a sample of 473 (211 girls and 262 boys) children aged 8–11 (mean 9.38). The data obtained from boys and girls were divided into two groups according to grade and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The reliability level of the scale was at an acceptable level, and a statistically significant relationship was found between the scale's Body Mass Index and the dimensions of Self‐Perception Profile. The results revealed that there is a significant relationship between body satisfaction and general self‐worth and physical appearance. In addition, the scores obtained on the CBIS after a 3‐week period showed significant internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The analyses revealed that the CBIS is a valid and reliable measurement tool for Turkish children. The results of the study can be a useful tool for education and health professionals that they need screening tools to help them detect body dissatisfaction. The study also showed some correlates of high body dissatisfaction in children that can be used before the rise in eating disorders in adolescence.

MANAGEMENT OF WALKING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS WITH OBESITY IN RT 07 RW 016 SRENGSENG SAWAH, JAGAKARSA, SOUTH JAKARTA

Introduction: Obesity is one of the health problems that must be handled properly because it can affect individuals of all ages, from children to adults. Obesity occurs in school-age children because it can interfere with the health and body image of the child. Some interventions are believed to help lose weight in school-age children who are obese. Self Hypnosis therapy is one intervention that has been proven to be able to lose weight. The application of nursing care aims to determine the effectiveness of Self Hypnosis therapy on weight loss in school-age children who are obese.&#x0D; Method: Obesity is one of the most common nutritional health problems in children and adolescents. Obesity is a serious problem and requires immediate treatment to avoid complications and adverse effects on the future of children and adolescents, both in terms of physical health and on the child's body image. In addition to diet, physical activity plays an important role in reducing the incidence of obesity. Physical activity walking is one form of obesity management that has been proven to reduce weight. This writing aims to perform the management of physical activity walking on weight loss in adolescents with obesity.&#x0D; Results: This intervention was given for 12 times to two teenagers in the Srengseng Sawah area, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta who had the criteria for obesity results with a BMI more than the 95th percentile. The results of the implementation for 4 weeks showed that there was a weight loss of 3.1kg for the first client and 2kg for the second client after the intervention of walking physical activity, so it can be concluded that the intervention of walking physical activity has an effect on weight loss in adolescents with obesity.&#x0D; Conclusion: Community nurses are expected to apply walking physical activity interventions as one of the interventions in overcoming obesity in adolescents.

Influence of a corporal expression program on primary school children's body image

Este estudio pretendió observar el efecto de un programa de expresión corporal en la imagen corporal de alumnos de 12 años. El programa incluyó siete sesiones de 45 minutos de dramatización y baile. Se obtuvieron mediciones pre y post con 33 alumnos (n = 13 grupo control -GC-; n = 20 grupo experimental -GE-). Para conocer su imagen corporal se utilizó una escala de figuras corporales (Children’s Ten Bodies Scale). Los resultados revelaron mayor satisfacción corporal en el GE en comparación con el GC, aunque no hubo diferencias significativas tras la intervención y tampoco se encontraron diferencias por género. Sin embargo, las chicas del GE mostraron menos insatisfacción corporal en el post-test (M = -0,57) que en el pre-test (M = -2,37). Los resultados sugieren que las actividades expresivas podrían ayudar a mejorar la imagen corporal, especialmente en chicas.

Parents' perception of toddlers' nutritional state

Background: Parents' perception of children's body image may assume an important role in children's development. Aims: to assess parental perception on toddlers' nutritional status. Methods: Study conducted with toddlers' parents who attended nurseries in the district of Viseu, Portugal. Data collection instruments: a survey which included questions for social and demographic characterisation and the ‘Toddler Silhouette Scale’. Findings: Most parents have considered that the children's silhouette, ideal (98.4%) and real (95.8%), corresponded to the one regarding normal weight. 21.1% of the children seen by the parents as having a normal weight, had in fact excess weight, 9% suffered from obesity and 0.5% were underweight. Conclusions: The results suggest the existence of an inaccurate parental perception about their children's weight, reinforcing the importance of nurses who inform parents about their children's nutritional status and guide them to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Development of the Children's Body Satisfaction Scale: Its psychometric characteristics for children.

Body satisfaction is a key factor in children's healthy eating and self-perception. This study aims to develop The Children's Body Satisfaction Scale to measure body image satisfaction in children, which consists of three sub-dimensions ('acceptance of physical appearance', 'weight satisfaction' and 'flexibility in the importance attached to the ideal'). The study was conducted with 473 primary school students in Ankara in 2021. The mean age of the participants, of whom 44.6% were female and 55.4% were male, was 9.38 ± 0.65 (between 8 and 10 years old). Socio-demographic Information Form, the Children's Body Satisfaction Scale (CBSS), the Children's Body Image Scale and 'physical appearance' and 'general self-esteem' sub-scales of the Self-Perception Profile for Children were used for the data collection. CBSS consists of 3 sub-dimensions and 18 items. Calculated to be 0.84, the Cronbach alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be quite high. The item-total correlations were determined to be higher than 0.20 for all the items in the scale, and the t values of the comparison of the lower and upper 27% of all the items were significant. A high level (r > 0.70) positive and significant relationship was found in the test-retest reliability of the CBSS total and sub-dimension scores. A positive and significant relationship was found between CBSS total and general self-esteem and body size satisfaction. The validity and reliability analyses of the CBSS applied as part of the study show that it has strong psychometric properties in determining the level of body image satisfaction for children aged between 8 and 10. The sub-dimensions of CBSS provide a comprehensive measure to understand body dissatisfaction in children and to test the effectiveness of intervention programmes.

Self-Perception of Body Weight in Schoolchildren in Northeastern Mexico.

Mexican schoolchildren are among the individuals most affected by obesity in the world. It has been observed that body-image dissatisfaction has increased in children. We evaluated their body weight perception and its relationship with actual weight; we compared this variable on three different scales according to age and sex and determined the sensitivity and specificity of these scales. This cross-sectional study was conducted with students from public and private schools in Northeastern Mexico. Boys and girls aged 6-12 years (n = 533) were included in this study. To assess the body weight perception, the following scales were used: (A) Collins (figure rating scale), (B) Eckstein (parents' perceptions of their child's weight and health scale), and (C) Truby and Paxton (children's body image scale). Agreement was evaluated using the Cohen's kappa test, determining the sensitivity and specificity. Girls and children aged 10-12 years were more likely to perceive themselves adequately (their self-perception corresponds to the figure that indicates their weight status). The children showed increased body-image distortion in the three scales. In terms of sensitivity and specificity, children with overweight or obesity were more precisely identified in scale A, whereas a healthy weight was more clearly identified in scale C.

Factors Correlated with Body Image Dissatisfaction in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: The adverse effects of continuous use of antiretroviral therapy can generate dissatisfaction with body image in children and adolescents diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) infection. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence and factors associated with body image dissatisfaction (BI) in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV infection; (2) This is a cross-sectional study with 60 children and adolescents (32 females; 28 males) aged 8-15 years diagnosed with HIV, carried out in Florianópolis, Brazil. Information on BI was collected through a silhouette scale, as well as sociodemographic information, biological maturation, lifestyle, self-esteem, adherence to antiretroviral treatment and aspects of HIV infection; (3) Results: The results indicated that 53.13% of female patients and 53.57% of male patients were dissatisfied with their BI. Lower subscapular skinfold and higher calf skinfold values were associated with BI dissatisfaction in females. Pre-pubertal maturation stage, higher economic level, lower concentrations of CD4+ lymphocytes, lower viral load, lower level of physical activity and longer time in front of the computer and/or video game were associated with BI dissatisfaction in males; (4) Conclusions: BI dissatisfaction was observed in more than half of patients and morphological, economic, behavioral and HIV infection aspects were associated with BI dissatisfaction.

Fostering Body Wellness among Preadolescents with the Multidimensional Body Wellness Model

ABSTRACT Researchers have recognized body dissatisfaction (BD) as a significant risk factor for developing mental illnesses, with BD emerging as early as middle childhood. Although scholars have extensively studied body image as a construct, there remains a shortage of holistic and developmentally focused models to foster positive body image in preadolescent children across diverse cultural and gender identities. In response, we propose the Multidimensional Body Wellness (MBW) model, which is informed by sociocultural, intersectional, and resilience-based constructs, such as body image resilience, body compassion, and Health at Every Size® principles. Using a multifaceted lens, the MBW model may assist preadolescent children and families with challenging harmful body ideals, honoring diverse identities, and redefining traditional perceptions of wellness. We conclude with relevant interventions across counseling settings, implications for counselors, and future directions for research.

#childhoodobesity - A brief literature review of the role of social media in body image shaping and eating patterns among children and adolescents.

Children’s food preferences are closely related to their parents’ food preferences and knowledge of food is linked to what their parents share with them. Parents, however, are not the only people who model such behavior. Paradoxically, the ubiquitous technological development can also pose a huge threat. In developed countries, 94% of teenagers use social media platforms such as: Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, or TikTok, and this also applies to children. It can therefore be argued that parents’ nutritional preferences and behavior are related to the same behaviors of children and there is an extensive literature on this subject. It is therefore important to check how other factors – new technology (and social media in particular) – can influence changes in this area. A literature search was conducted in the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO in December 2021. After applying all the filters and verification of relevance in terms of the research on the topic of interest to us, 4 articles related to research on body image and social media and 4 articles related to research on food choices and social media among children and adolescents were obtained. The conducted analysis showed that various studies so far indicate that social media can have a very strong influence on the development of eating patterns and body image in children and adolescents, which in turn may be one of the risk factors for developing obesity when promoted behaviors are not associated with a healthy lifestyle. It is also worth pointing out that social media can be used as a resource in the prevention and treatment of obesity. A closer look at this topic seems to be particularly important due to the fact that, among adults, social media is not only a very important source of information about lifestyle, but also a source of social support when people attempting to lose weight. Therefore, by increasing preventive activity in social media and using modern solutions related to social media (including the use of hashtag signs), we can have a greater impact on the health awareness of children and adolescents around the world.

Body Image in Preschool Children Following Premature Loss of Primary Teeth: A Cross-sectional Study.

IntroductionPediatric dentists often see a good number of children under 6 years of age and are likely to encounter a child with missing anterior teeth. Here the parents are more concerned about the facial esthetics of the child and also about the timing of permanent teeth to erupt.AimTo know the impact on self-esteem or body image of preschool children following the premature loss of primary anterior teeth.Materials and methodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted among 780 children in the age group of 4–6 years. The COHIP-SF 19 was utilized to know the social well-being of the child following the premature loss of anterior teeth. The descriptive and inferential analysis of the data was done by using IBM SPSS software.ResultsThere was a statistically significant association between gender and social well-being. More number of boys were concerned about their looks (p = 0.054). However, girls were found to be significantly more (p = 0.003) shy or withdrawn as compared to boys. There was a statistically significant association between a child's age and social well-being. More number of children between the ages of 4 years (23.1%) and 6 years (25.8%) were worried or anxious due to premature loss of an anterior tooth. Significantly more no of children of age 5 years (48.6%) was uncomfortable when asked about the missing tooth as compared to 4- and 6-year-old children. No statistically significant (p > 0.05) difference in the mean social well-being scores between boys and girls. No statistically significant difference in the mean social well-being scores between children of ages 4, 5, and 6 years (p > 0.05).ConclusionThere is an association between the self-image of younger children and missing anterior teeth.How to cite this articleAcharya S, Biswas R. Body Image in Preschool Children Following Premature Loss of Primary Teeth: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):293-298.

A systematic review of interventions aiming to promote positive body image in children and adolescents

Evidence shows interventions can improve positive body image in adult women. This systematic review examined the evidence of efficacy of interventions that aimed to increase positive body image in children and young people aged under 18 years. The authors followed PRISMA guidelines for the review. Searches of CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsychINFO, Wiley Online Library, SCOPUS and grey literature were conducted up to February 2021 and identified 4171 papers. Thirteen studies evaluating 12 interventions, designed for children/adolescents aged 9–18 years, were eligible and evaluated using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool. The studies evaluated body appreciation, body-esteem, and embodiment. Studies using cognitive dissonance, peer support, and psychoeducation had evidence of improving body appreciation and body-esteem in adolescent girls. However, evidence of efficacy for younger children and boys was lacking and the studies ranged in methodological quality. Further research should rigorously evaluate positive body image interventions using second-generation measures that assess specific components of positive body image and consider how to promote positive body image in young children and boys.

Promoting positive body image in children through theatre: An evaluation of Cinderella: the AWESOME Truth

Cinderella: the AWESOME Truth is a children’s theatrical production developed with the aim of promoting positive body image and improved self-image. As part of the production’s initial run at the Polka Theatre in London, United Kingdom, we conducted an evaluation of the show’s efficacy at improving state positive body image and self-image. Using a single-arm design, we recruited 54 girls and 45 boys between the ages of 5 and 9 years attending a performance of Cinderella with their parents/caregivers, and asked them to complete an adapted measure of state body appreciation at pre- and post-attendance. Participants were also asked to complete open-ended questions about their own uniqueness and awesomeness – two central themes of the production – at both time-points, and their enjoyment of the show at post-attendance. Results indicated that attending the performance improved state body appreciation, self-perceived uniqueness, and self-perceived awesomeness, with small-to-moderate effects. These results were consistent across girls and boys, and enjoyment of the performance was near universally high. Despite limitations – including the lack of a control group and the constrained assessment period – these results suggest that tailored children’s theatre may be a viable method of promoting positive body image in young age groups.