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Predictors of body size stigmatization in Hispanic preschool children

Shannon S Rich1, Eve V Essery, Charlotte F Sanborn

  • 1Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas, USA. SRich@mail.twu.edu

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Body size stigmatization occurs in Hispanic preschoolers at risk for obesity. Caregiver body dissatisfaction and BMI significantly predict children

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Obesity Research
  • Societal Stigma Studies

Background:

  • Rising obesity rates have not increased societal acceptance of obesity.
  • Children, even those at risk for obesity, exhibit body size stigmatization at early ages.
  • Understanding predictors of body size stigmatization in at-risk children is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm body size stigmatization in Hispanic preschoolers at risk for obesity.
  • To identify factors that predict body size stigmatization in this population.

Main Methods:

  • 70 lower-socioeconomic Hispanic caregivers and their preschoolers participated.
  • Preschoolers completed an attribution task assessing body size stigmatization.
  • Child and caregiver body mass index (BMI) and caregiver body dissatisfaction were measured.

Main Results:

  • Body size stigmatization was observed in child participants.
  • Child BMI predicted fewer positive adjectives assigned to overweight figures.
  • Caregiver BMI and body dissatisfaction predicted negative traits assigned to overweight figures by children.

Conclusions:

  • Early-age body size stigmatization is evident, even in at-risk children.
  • Caregivers significantly influence the development of body size stigmatization in children.
  • Interventions targeting caregivers are essential for reducing stigmatization and obesity.
Abstract

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