Body dissatisfaction, body fat and physical activity in British children

The present study examined the relationship among body dissatisfaction, body fat and physical activity in British children from different ethnic groups.

Two hundred and seventy-six 11-14 year-old males and females (12.5 +0.8 years) took part in the study. Body dissatisfaction was assessed using a figure rating scale; percent body fat was determined by skinfold measures, and physical activity was assessed using a self-report measure.

Significant, positive relationships were evident between body dissatisfaction and body fat for the whole sample (r = -0.65, p < 0.01). Similar relationships were evident between body dissatisfaction and body fat when split by gender and ethnicity (both p < 0.01). No significant relationships were evident between body dissatisfaction and physical activity (all p > 0.05). ANCOVA controlling for body fat and physical activity revealed that as the covariate of physical activity increased, so did body dissatisfaction (F(1,269) = 13.36, p < 0.01). A significant interaction between fat and ethnicity was also evident (F2,269 = 4.49, p < 0.05). Girls had lower levels of physical activity (F(1,270) = 6.00, p < 0.01); greater body dissatisfaction (F(1,269) = 9.34, p <0.01), and greater fatness (F(1,275) = 37.51, p < 0.01) than boys.

The majority of children in this study were dissatisfied with their bodies and girls were more dissatisfied than boys. The main novel finding of this study was that the association between body dissatisfaction and body fatness differed across ethnic groups, with this association being greatest in Asian children (Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi in origin) in comparison to black and white children.