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Body Size Misperception and Dissatisfaction in Elementary School Children
Manon Bordeleau1,2,3,4, Geneviève Leduc1,5, Claudine Blanchet6
1Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec-Université Laval (IUCPQ-UL), Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Childhood Obesity (Print)
|May 19, 2021
Summary
Many children, especially those who are overweight or obese, misperceive their body size and desire to be thinner. This body size perception is linked to body size dissatisfaction in younger children, depending on their weight status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Childhood Obesity Research
- Body Image Studies
Background:
- Body size perception (BSP) and body size dissatisfaction (BSD) are critical in childhood development.
- Understanding factors influencing BSP and BSD is essential for addressing weight-related health issues in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body size perception and body size dissatisfaction in elementary school children.
- To determine the influence of age, sex, and Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-scores on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 269 children aged 6–13 years.
- Calculation of BSP (perceived vs. actual body size) and BSD (perceived vs. desired body size) scores.
- Analysis of associations considering age, sex, and BMI Z-scores.
Main Results:
- 64% of children underestimated their body size, with the highest misperception in younger children with obesity.
- Overweight and obese children were more likely to desire to be thinner.
- A significant association between BSP and BSD was found in younger normal-weight and obese children, but not in the overall sample.
Conclusions:
- Underestimation and dissatisfaction with body size are common, particularly in children with overweight/obesity.
- The relationship between body size perception and dissatisfaction is influenced by age and weight status in children.
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