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Body satisfaction in adolescent girls
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Body satisfaction in British girls declines significantly between ages 12 and 18, especially concerning thighs, buttocks, and stomach. Self-perceived weight, not just body shape, strongly influences this decline, linking it to self-esteem and dieting.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent psychology
- Body image research
- Public health
Background:
- Body satisfaction is a key component of psychological well-being during adolescence.
- Adolescence is a critical period for the development of body image and self-esteem.
- Societal pressures and media influence can impact adolescent body perceptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in body satisfaction across four age groups of female British adolescents.
- To identify specific body features associated with declining satisfaction.
- To explore the relationship between body satisfaction, perceived weight, and shape ratios.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving four age groups of female British adolescents.
- Assessment of overall satisfaction with nine specific body features.
- Analysis of the correlation between body satisfaction, self-perceived weight, and anthropometric measures (e.g., weight-to-height ratio).
Main Results:
- Overall body satisfaction decreased progressively from age 12 to 18 years.
- The most significant declines in satisfaction were observed for upper thigh, buttocks, and stomach measurements.
- Self-perceived weight status (underweight, OK, overweight) was a more direct predictor of body satisfaction than objective shape ratios in older adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Body satisfaction significantly declines throughout female adolescence.
- Perceived body weight and self-esteem are strongly associated with adolescent body dissatisfaction.
- Findings suggest a need for interventions addressing psychological well-being and promoting healthy attitudes towards body image in adolescents.