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Current conceptualisation of body image dissatisfaction: have we got it wrong?
Marion Kostanski1, Adrian Fisher, Eleonora Gullone
1Dept. Psychology, VU - Footscray Park, PO Box 14428 Melbourne MC, Australia. Marion.Kostanski@vu.edu.au
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|September 1, 2004
Summary
Body image dissatisfaction affects both boys and girls, but manifests differently based on sex and weight. This research highlights distinct patterns in childhood and adolescence, urging a re-evaluation of how we understand body image concerns.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Body image research
- Adolescent health
Background:
- Previous research on body image dissatisfaction has limitations.
- This study examines body image dissatisfaction across childhood and adolescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and patterns of body image dissatisfaction in children and adolescents.
- To identify differences in body image dissatisfaction based on sex and body mass index (BMI).
Main Methods:
- A sample of 956 participants (448 boys, 508 girls) completed self-report measures.
- Global body image dissatisfaction was assessed using validated scales.
- Participant height and weight were measured to determine BMI.
Main Results:
- Body image dissatisfaction significantly varies by sex and BMI.
- Females showed increased dissatisfaction with higher body weight, desiring to be thinner.
- Males exhibited a bimodal pattern: overweight males desired to be thinner, while underweight males desired to be larger.
Conclusions:
- Body image dissatisfaction is prevalent in both males and females, with distinct sex-specific patterns.
- The non-linear distribution of body image dissatisfaction necessitates sex- and BMI-stratified analysis.
- Current conceptualizations of body image dissatisfaction require reframing to account for these complex distributions.