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Ideal body size beliefs and weight concerns of fourth-grade children
S H Thompson1, S J Corwin, R G Sargent
1Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina, USA.
Insights
Black and White fourth-graders show racial and gender differences in ideal body size perceptions. Race and gender significantly influence body satisfaction and weight concerns in children.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Sociocultural Development
- Body Image Research
Background:
- Body image and weight concerns develop early in childhood.
- Sociocultural factors like race and gender can influence perceptions of ideal body size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess racial and gender differences in ideal body size perceptions.
- To examine body image and weight concerns among White and Black fourth-grade children.
Main Methods:
- A body image and weight concern survey was administered.
- A random sample of 817 fourth-grade children (mean age 9 years) participated.
- Socioeconomic status (SES), race, and gender were used as independent variables.
Main Results:
- Black children selected significantly heavier ideal body sizes than White children across various categories.
- Despite wanting to be thinner, Black females selected larger ideal body sizes than White females.
- Females and White children reported greater body dissatisfaction and weight concerns compared to males and Black children.
Conclusions:
- Gender, race, and SES are influential factors in shaping ideal body size selection.
- These factors impact body satisfaction early in sociocultural development.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for addressing body image issues in children.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess racial and gender differences in perceptions of ideal body size among White and Black fourth-grade children.
Method:
A random sample of 817 children (51.4% female, 51.8% White, and mean age 9 years) participated in a body image and weight concern survey.
Results:
Using socioeconomic status (SES), race, and gender as independent variables, Black children selected significantly heavier ideal sizes than White children for self, male child, female child, adult male, and adult female. Although almost one half (46%) of Black females wanted to be thinner than their current size, their body size selections were significantly larger than those of White females. Black and White males differed only in the selections of ideal-female child and adult sizes. Cross-gender comparisons indicated females and Whites experience more body dissatisfaction and weight concern than males and Blacks.
Discussion:
Our study indicates that early in the sociocultural development of children, gender, race, and SES are influential factors in selecting ideal body size and determining body satisfaction.