Body-image dissatisfaction in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Background: The difference in the perception between the perceived silhouette and the desired silhouette has been defined as body image dissatisfaction (BID). Objective: To review the type of methods for measuring BID, the frequency of BID among children and adolescents. Method: We searched studies through electronic databases (PubMed, Scielo and EBSCOhost), from cross-sectional studies published in English or Spanish. Eligible studies assessing BID in children and adolescents published in Spanish and English, from April 2010 to April 2015. Age, sex, weight and method or scale used to evaluate the BID and the self- perception of body weight were assessed. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and included children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years. Nine types of measurement methods of BID were found. In most of the studies, temporal stability and validity test were performed. In BID studies where frequency was reported, ranged from 44% to 83% for overweight or obese and 1.7% a 37% for underweight. In some studies, BID was associated with age and was more frequent among girls. BID was also present in thin boys. Conclusion: BID was more frequent among girls and was positively associated with BMI. Despite the variety of methods used, the results are consistent.