Body Size Misperception and Dissatisfaction in Elementary School Children

Bordeleau, Manon; Leduc, Geneviève; Blanchet, Carole; Drapeau, Vicky; Alméras, Natalie

doi:10.1089/chi.2020.0221

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Among the participants, overweight and obese children and adolescents had a larger gap between "perceived" and actual BMI than normal or underweighted children. This observation is in agreement with the results of a study by Bordeleau et al [15] and may occur because of these children's heightened need to conform to social norms. Furthermore, previous studies have found a relationship between body-size misperception and sociodemographic characteristics of the participants.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Body-Size Misperception among Overweight Children and Adolescents in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2023

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Childhood obesity can affect both physical and mental health. Body-size misperception may lead to a lack of motivation to make healthy changes or to engage in unhealthy weight loss behaviors, increasing the possibility for obese children to become obese adults. To estimate the frequency of body-size misperception among children and adolescents, we conducted a cross-sectional study within another study on eating disorders in youth in Greece (National Institute of Educational Policy, act no. 04/2018). Between January and December 2019, two trained assistants visited 83 primary and secondary schools of the Region of Western Greece and interviewed 3504 children aged 10–16 years (CL 99%) and performed anthropometric measurements. Among the 3504 surveyed children, 1097 were overweight, including 424 obese, and 51 were underweight. The “perceived” BMI was not computed in 875 children (25%), who did not state their weight or height and were classified as non-responders. Weight bias was inversely related to BMI, the obese and overweight non-obese children underestimated their weight, while the underweight children overestimated it. Conversely, height bias was positively related to BMI bias. BMI bias was not related to sex, age, parental education, or place of residence. In conclusion, our study lends robust support to the existing evidence on unrealistic body images among overweight children and adolescents. Prompt recognition of such misperceptions may help in increasing motivation towards healthier eating habits, systematic physical activity, and weight-control interventions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Body-Size Misperception among Overweight Children and Adolescents in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2023

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“…This result is in line with the study by Bordeleau et al. (2021) conducted among primary school children, where an underestimation in children living with obesity was associated with a lower desire to be thinner [ 35 ]. Thus, youth living with OW/OB who underestimate themselves protect themselves from a BSD and unhealthy weight control practices.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…According to the method described by Bordeleau et al . [ 35 ] using the BSP score, girls were classified into three groups: Underestimators (BSP score < -0.5); Accurate estimators (-0.5 ≤ BSP score ≤ 0.5); and Overestimators (BSP score > 0.5). Similarly, subtracting the desired body size from the perceived body size yielded the BSD score.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body image and health-related behaviors among fitspirit participants

et al. 2022

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Background Body image variables such as body size perception (BSP) and body size dissatisfaction (BSD) can influence health-related behaviors. However, few studies have investigated these body image variables in adolescent girls participating in a physical activity intervention. Therefore, the study objectives were to examine the 1) associations between health-related behaviors (physical activity, screen-time, eating habits and sleep duration) and BSP and BSD among girls participating in FitSpirit, a physical activity intervention for girls; and 2) influence of weight control practices on the association between health-related behaviors and BSP and BSD. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed a sample of 545 adolescent girls (mean age: 15.0±1.5 years) from 240 schools. Body mass index, health-related behaviors, perceived actual body size and desired body size variables were self-reported and collected via an online questionnaire at the end of the FitSpirit intervention. A negative BSP score [perceived actual body size – calculated BMI z -score] indicates an underestimation of body size. A positive BSD score [perceived actual body size – desired body size] indicates a desire to reduce body size. A multiple linear regression analysis examined the effects of age, zBMI and health behaviors on BSP and BSD. A second multiple linear regression analysis examined the independent associations between BSP and BSD by weight control practice. The linear relationships between BSP and BSD were evaluated with Pearson’s correlations. Results Underestimation and dissatisfaction of body size are more prevalent in participants living with overweight/obesity. Screen-time and sleep duration were independently associated with BSP score (Beta=0.02; P <0.05 and Beta=-0.07; P <0.05, respectively), whereas only screen-time was associated with the BSD score (Beta=0.07; P <0.001). Physical activity was independently associated with the BSP score only in participants trying to control (maintain) their weight (Beta=-0.18; P <0.05). Conclusions Body size overestimation and dissatisfaction are associated with health-related behaviors, specifically with more screen-time and less optimal sleeping habits. Physical activity level does not appear to be associated with body image in girls engaged in a physical activity intervention and who want to lose or gain weight. Health promotion interventions could include screen-time and sleep components as they may influence body image.

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“…Puberty for girls, on the other hand, brings with it characteristics often perceived as less laudable, as girls generally get rounder and have increased body fat [18]. The young children living with obesity demonstrated the highest misperception [19]. Apart from gender differences, there is evidence that body image dissatisfaction grows during adolescent years which confirms our results.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Underestimation and dissatisfaction of body size are more prevalent in children living with overweight/obesity. Moreover, there is an association between BSP and dissatisfaction, yet this association is dependent on age and weight status [19]. BMI measurements and BMI self-evaluation are not adequate methods for analyzing the participants because the participants, even those worried about their physical appearance, estimated their appearance following the desirable BMI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Appearance Satisfaction and Self-Esteem Among High School Students in Eastern Croatia

Holik¹,

Srb²,

Dumenčić³

et al. 2022

Arch. Psychiatry Res.

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Due to the imposition of social media, a large number of adolescents face problems related to physical appearance and social contact. The research objectives were to examine the degree of satisfaction of high school students in Eastern Croatia, Vinkovci, regarding their physical appearance and self-esteem based on their gender, type of high school and the differences in socioeconomic status. The study was designed as a cross-sectional research and included 278 students from medical schools and high schools. Data was collected using a survey on the demographic and socio-economic status of participants. The Body Image Questionnaire was used in a modified and validated version in Croatia and contained fourteen questions to examine the level of satisfaction with the body image. Using Rosenberg’s ten-question test, the level of self-esteem was examined. The Median age of students was 18 years. The female students in high school were significantly more concerned about their physical appearance than the male students in the same school (χ² = 23.6, p < 0.001). The linear correlation between the degree of satisfaction regarding physical appearance and self-esteem confirmed the association between body image satisfaction and gender of students in medical schools (r = 0,157; p = 0,04) and students in high school (r = 0,371; p < 0,001). Adolescents in this region of Croatia are not overly concerned about their physical appearance despite relatively decreased self-esteem. Alcohol consumption has proven to be a big problem especially for high school students, which can be a result of stress due to maintaining excellent grades.

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Body Size Misperception and Dissatisfaction in Elementary School Children

Cited by 4 publications

References 38 publications

Body-Size Misperception among Overweight Children and Adolescents in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study

Body-Size Misperception among Overweight Children and Adolescents in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study

Body image and health-related behaviors among fitspirit participants

The Relationship Between Appearance Satisfaction and Self-Esteem Among High School Students in Eastern Croatia

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