Body Image Dissatisfaction and the Adrenarchal Transition

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Puberty onset is associated with increased risk for body image disturbance and disordered eating.
• Few studies have investigated these symptoms throughout puberty.
• The link between adrenarche, the earliest pubertal hormonal phase, and these symptoms remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between adrenal androgen levels and body dissatisfaction in pre-pubertal children.
• To investigate potential links between adrenarche and body image concerns.

Main Methods:

• A population-based study measured adrenal androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone) in 8- to 9-year-old children (N=1137).
• Body dissatisfaction was assessed using the Kids' Eating Disorder Scale Silhouettes.
• Body mass index, age, and socioeconomic status were included as covariates.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between higher adrenal androgen levels and greater body dissatisfaction in both males and females.
• Specifically, advanced dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone levels in females, and testosterone in males, correlated with increased body dissatisfaction.
• After adjusting for covariates, hormone levels were no longer significant predictors; only higher body mass index remained clearly associated with body dissatisfaction.

Conclusions:

• The adrenarchal transition may heighten the risk for body dissatisfaction in children.
• Further research is needed to determine if this association is due to neuroendocrine effects of adrenal androgens or a response to increased body mass during adrenarche.