Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Adolescent Body Image Distortion: A Consideration of Immigrant Generational Status, Immigrant Concentration, Sex and
Melissa Kimber1,2, Katholiki Georgiades3,4, Jennifer Couturier5,6,7
1Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, MIP 201A, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada. kimberms@mcmaster.ca.
Abstract:
Immigrant adolescents represent a significant and growing proportion of the population in the United States. Yet, little is known about their experiences of body image distortion. This is particularly concerning given that body image distortion has been identified as a significant and modifiable risk factor for a number of mental illnesses, including depression and eating disorders. This study uses multi-level modeling to examine the associations between immigrant generational status, neighborhood immigrant concentration, sex, body dissatisfaction and risk for body image distortion. Data come from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and includes 10,962 11-19 year olds (49.6 % female). First generation immigrant females were significantly more likely than 3rd generation-or-later adolescents to experience underweight body image distortion. There was no association between neighborhood immigrant concentration and risk for body image distortion. Body dissatisfaction was associated with greater risk for underweight and overweight body image distortion, with the magnitude of underweight distortion risk significantly greater among 1st generation immigrants. Interventions that encourage the development of a healthy body image have the potential to reduce the onset and duration of body image distortion among immigrant and non-immigrant adolescents.
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-Esteem and Culture
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison

