An Exploration of Body Dissatisfaction and Perceptions of Black and White Girls Enrolled in an Intervention for Overweight Children

Overview

Journal Body Image

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2011 Jun 25

PMID 21700518

Citations 15

Authors

N R Kelly

C M Bulik

S E Mazzeo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Silhouette measures are one approach to assessing body dissatisfaction in children, although little is known about their use among racially diverse, overweight girls seeking weight-loss treatment. This study assessed racial differences in body dissatisfaction and body size perceptions of 58 girls (ages 6-11, 66% Black, 34% White) participating in a randomized trial for pediatric overweight. Body dissatisfaction did not differ between races; 99% of girls reported an ideal figure smaller than their current one. Black girls selected a larger silhouette to represent their ideal body size, and most girls in both racial groups underestimated their actual size. Outcomes strengthen the argument that, despite an overall preference for a larger body size, obesity might mitigate cultural factors that protect Black girls from body dissatisfaction. Additional research is needed to enhance understanding of children's body size perceptions and dissatisfaction to inform assessment and treatment of pediatric obesity and associated disordered eating symptoms.

Citing Articles

Obesity Pillars Roundtable: Body mass index and body composition in Black and Female individuals. Race-relevant or racist? Sex-relevant or sexist?.

Bays H, Gonsahn-Bollie S, Younglove C, Wharton S Obes Pillars. 2023; 4:100044.

PMID: 37990673 PMC: 10662008. DOI: 10.1016/j.obpill.2022.100044.

Parent involvement approach and changes in eating pathology within an adolescent obesity intervention.

Weinstock M, Thornton L, Raynor H, Mazzeo S, LaRose J, Caccavale L Eat Behav. 2023; 51:101807.

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Screen Time and Body Image in Icelandic Adolescents: Sex-Specific Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations.

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PMID: 35162330 PMC: 8835238. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031308.

Gender differences in the relation between interpersonal stress and momentary shape and weight concerns in youth with overweight/obesity.

Dougherty E, Goldschmidt A, Johnson N, Badillo K, Engel S, Haedt-Matt A Body Image. 2022; 40:249-255.

PMID: 35074653 PMC: 8891090. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.006.

Longitudinal bidirectional relations between body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms among Black adolescents: A cross-lagged panel analysis.

Wang Y, Lynne S, Witherspoon D, Black M PLoS One. 2020; 15(1):e0228585.

PMID: 31999799 PMC: 6992219. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228585.

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