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Body size stigmatization in preschool children: the role of control attributions

Dara R Musher-Eizenman1, Shayla C Holub, Amy Barnhart Miller

  • 1Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, OH 43403, USA. mushere@bgnet.bgsu.edu

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|October 20, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Preschoolers attribute negative traits to heavier figures and link weight control beliefs to these negative views. These findings align with attribution theory in young children regarding body size. Keywords: preschool, children, weight, body size, attribution theory.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Background:

  • Early childhood development involves forming attitudes towards peers.
  • Body size and weight are visible characteristics that can influence social perceptions.
  • Attribution theory explains how individuals interpret causes of behavior and characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine preschool children's attributions of control regarding body weight.
  • To investigate the link between these control attributions and children's attitudes toward different body sizes.
  • To assess the relationship between control attributions and behavioral intentions (friendship preferences) towards children of varying body sizes.

Main Methods:

  • Forty-two preschool-aged children (mean age 5.2 years) participated.
  • Interviews assessed children's adjective associations with different body sizes.
  • Children's weight control beliefs and playmate size preferences were also evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Obese figures received the most negative adjective ratings.
  • No significant differences in adjective ratings were found between thin and average figures.
  • The heaviest figure was least preferred as a playmate; internal weight control attributions correlated with more negative ratings for heavier figures but not friendship choices.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest young children's body size stigmatization is associated with control attributions, consistent with attribution theory.
  • Results highlight the early emergence of weight-related biases in children.
  • The study discusses practical implications and potential interventions for addressing these issues in early childhood.
Abstract

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