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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Five-year change in body satisfaction among adolescents
Marla E Eisenberg1, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Susan J Paxton
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55454, USA. eisen012@umn.edu
Objective:
The present study uses longitudinal data to examine changes in body satisfaction among male and female adolescents from baseline to 5 years.
Methods:
A diverse sample of 2,516 adolescents completed surveys in 1999 and 2004, reporting satisfaction with 10 body parts or attributes, height/weight, and other characteristics. Multivariable general linear modeling was used to estimate change in body satisfaction from Time 1 to Time 2, by age group, race, and change in body mass index (BMI) category.
Results:
Body satisfaction decreased over 5 years (mean satisfaction change=-0.79) in all groups except older adolescent females. Scores decreased significantly more among younger adolescents than older adolescents, among some racial/ethnic groups of males, and among those whose BMI increased. However, among males, change in body satisfaction depended on BMI category at baseline.
Conclusions:
Different types of prevention programs addressing body image may be needed for males and females at different developmental stages and may need to address changes in BMI.
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