Association between body image dissatisfaction and obesity among schoolchildren aged 7–10 years

Development, Validation, and Measurement Invariance of the Body Image Bidimensional Assessment (BIBA) in Italian and Spanish Children and Early Adolescent Samples

Body dissatisfaction (BD) is an important public health issue as it negatively influences the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of children/early adolescents. Available measures of BD for this population are scarce, have a significant bias, or only evaluate weight-related dissatisfaction. This study, through the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), aims to develop and validate the Italian (Study 1) and Spanish (Study 2) versions of a new tool, the Body Image Bidimensional Assessment (BIBA), which is not subject to sex-age-race biases and is able to identify BD related to weight and height among children/early adolescents. Study 3 regards the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), testing the measurement of invariance across sex and country. The BIBA has a two-factor structure (i.e., weight and height dissatisfaction) according to studies 1 and 2. McDonald's ω ranged from 0.73 (weight) and 0.72 (height) with good reliability. CFA confirmed the two-factor model as a good fit for the Italian and Spanish samples. Finally, partial metric and scalar invariance of the BIBA dimensions across sexes and nations emerged. The BIBA has proven to be an easy-to-use tool that identifies two BD dimensions among children/early adolescents who could benefit from prompt educational interventions.

[Body image is associated with anthropometric status in adolescents, but not with lifestyle]

Body image is a construct of the multifaceted representation of body identity that involves self-perception, beliefs, attitudes about the body itself, which can be influenced by several factors. This study evaluated the association of body image with anthropometric and lifestyle indicators among adolescents. The sample comprised 465 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years from public schools in the city of Salvador-Bahia. The Silhouettes Scale assessed the body image. The anthropometric data (body mass index and waist circumference), the lifestyle (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and television time), economic and demographic data were evaluated. Polytomous logistic regression assessed associations of interest by STATA, version 16.0. Overweight (OR:9,7; CI95%:5,4-17,5) and abdominal obesity (OR:14,0; CI95%: 5,0-39,3) were positively associated with body dissatisfaction. However, there was no association with lifestyle variables (physical activity: OR: 1,7, CI: 0,9-2,9, and TV time: OR:1,2; CI:0,8-1,9). The conclusion reached is that anthropometric status is an essential indicator of adverse body image outcomes in adolescents.

Body image and association with BMI, and purgative behaviours for weight control in adolescents aged 11-14 years

We aimed to evaluate the association of overweight/obesity based in BMI and purgative behaviours with body image (BI). Methods: Cross-sectional study, with probabilistic sample of 976 adolescents, aged 11-14 years, from the city of Florianópolis, Brazil. Multivariate analyses were performed. Overweight (including obesity) and four variables related to purgative methods for body weight control or eating behaviour were evaluated as outcomes, while BI satisfaction was the primary independent variable in each model. Models were controlled for age, sex, type of school (public or private), intake of fruit and vegetables, number of daily meals, and physical activity scores levels. A total of 31·4 % of adolescents wanted to enlarge their silhouette and 45·6 % wanted to reduce it. Among overweight/obese adolescents, 9·6 % were satisfied with their bodies, while 89·8 % wanted to reduce it, while among the not overweight/obese adolescents, 45·4 % wanted to enlarge their silhouette (P < 0·001). Multivariate analysis showed that the odds for overweight/obesity is higher among adolescents who wanted to reduce their silhouette (OR = 11·20; 95 % CI = 5·55, 22·58). Adolescents who want to reduce their silhouette are more likely to use diuretics (OR = 3·08; CI = 1·78, 5·32) and to use laxatives (OR = 2·10; CI = 1·20, 3·68). A significant association was also found between dissatisfaction with BI and overeating (among those who want to enlarge their silhouette: OR = 1·78; CI = 1·12, 2·85 and among those who want to reduce their silhouette: OR = 1·81; CI = 1·03, 3·19). Conclusion: BI dissatisfaction was associated with overweight/obesity, as well with overeating, and the use of purgative methods.

Perceptions of the Body and Body Dissatisfaction in Primary Education Children According to Gender and Age. A Cross-Sectional Study

Body image (BI) is a trending topic of study since health problems derived from a negative perception of the body are increasing and affecting people of all ages, with an increasing incidence among children from the age of eight. The objective of this study was to evaluate the current perception of the body against the desired body and the degree of body satisfaction of Galician primary education students. A total of 355 students (167 boys (47%)) between 9 and 12 years old participated (mean = 10.53; SD = 0.84). Sociodemographic data (sex, age, height, and weight) were collected, and the Figure Rating Scale was used. There are statistically significant differences between boys and girls in the current perceived figure (p = 0.003) and in the desired figure (p < 0.001). Depending on age, the differences were in current (p = 0.010) and desired (p = 0.021) body perception. In conclusion, boys perceive themselves as having a larger figure than girls do, but this perception is far from reality according to the body mass index. For the desired figure, both boys and girls want to be slimmer, but girls want a slimmer figure. Regarding age, the current perceived figure size increases with age as it increases in those students dissatisfied with their body.

Association between self-perceived body image and body composition between the sexes and different age classes

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between self-perceived body image and body composition in the sexes and in different age classes.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 632 young adults (238 men and 394 women; 22.8 ± 2.3 y of age), and 162 middle-aged and elderly adults (96 men and 66 women; 61.4 ± 7.6 y of age). The Williamson's figure scale was used to evaluate current body size. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight and waist, arm and calf circumferences) were taken, and body mass index was calculated. Specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was applied to evaluate body composition.

RESULTS

The findings suggest that in both age classes, current body size was positively correlated with weight, body mass index, and vector length, indicative of the percentage of fat mass, but not with phase angle, indicative of the intracellular/extracellular water ratio and a proxy of muscle mass. The association was similar between men and women, but clearer in women. Confidence ellipses confirmed the strong association between the silhouettes and adiposity.

CONCLUSION

The Williamson's figure scale silhouettes appear to be a suitable technique to screen for adiposity in epidemiologic studies and for routine applications.

Association between overweight/obesity with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

PURPOSE

Childhood and Adolescent overweight and obesity may be associated with psychological problems. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and summarize published articles on the association between overweight/obesity with risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction among children and adolescents.

METHODS

PubMed and Scopus databases were used to conduct a comprehensive search and identify eligible literature published prior to July 2020. The random-effects models (DerSimonian-Laird method) were applied to pool the effect sizes. Subgroup analysis was performed to find potential sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

28 studies (3 prospective cohorts and 25 cross-sectional) were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis. The total sample sizes ranged from 244 to 60252. A positive significant association was found between overweight (pooled risk estimate: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.31, P = 0.04) and obesity (pooled risk estimate: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.16-2.02, P = 0.003) with risk of low self-esteem, respectively. A significant positive association was found between obesity and risk of body dissatisfaction (pooled risk estimate: 4.05, 95% CI: 2.34-7.023, P = 0.0001). Moreover, no association was found between overweight and risk of body dissatisfaction among children and adolescents. Also, no association was observed between overweight/obesity and risk of depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings showed a positive association between obesity and the risk of body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem among children and adolescents. Moreover, there was a significant positive association between overweight and the risk of low self-esteem.

Clustering of obesogenic behaviors and association with body image among Brazilian adolescents in the national school-based health survey (PeNSE 2015)

•

The co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors is associated to body image indicators.

•

Risk behaviors combined may set the adolescent at risk for psychological health.

•

Adolescents in healthy clusters perceive themselves as having normal weight.

•

Girls engaging in healthy clusters are less likely to use pills to control weight.

This study aimed to examine the association between clusters of obesogenic behaviors and body image indicators among a population-based sample of Brazilian adolescents. Data from a cross-sectional country representative survey of 9th grade students (N = 102,301) were analyzed. Physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and body image indicators (i.e. satisfaction, perception, value, and weight control attitudes and behaviors) were self-reported. Three clusters were previously validated with two-steps cluster analysis: “Health-promoting SB and diet”, “Health-promoting PA and diet”, and “Health-risk”. Multinomial and binary logistic regression were used to associate clusters with body image indicators. Adolescents in the healthier clusters were more likely to be satisfied/very satisfied with body image and perceive themselves as having normal weight than those in the “Health-risk” cluster. Boys in both health-promoting clusters were more likely to consider body image as being important/very important and perceive themselves to be thin/very thin. Adolescents in the “Health-promoting PA and diet” cluster were more likely to be trying to lose or gain weight than those in the “Health-risk” cluster. Girls in the “Health-promoting SB and diet” cluster had lower odds of adopting unhealthy weight control behaviors than those in the “Health-risk” cluster. The effect of obesogenic behaviors on distinct aspects of body image was confirmed and found to vary according to different synergies between adolescents’ health-related behavior. These findings provide important insights on the understanding of behavioral profiles which can be targeted to prevent unhealthy weight control behaviors and weight related disorders, especially among girls.

An update on obesity: Mental consequences and psychological interventions

Besides physical consequences, obesity has negative psychological effects, thereby lowering human life quality. Major psychological consequences of this disorder includes depression, impaired body image, low self-esteem, eating disorders, stress and poor quality of life, which are correlated with age and gender. Physical interventions, mainly diet control and energy balance, have been widely applied to treat obesity; and some psychological interventions including behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy have showed some effects on obesity treatment. Other psychological therapies, such as relaxation and psychodynamic therapies, are paid less attention. This review aims to update scientific evidence regarding the mental consequences and psychological interventions for obesity.

Agreement between Weight Status and Perceived Body Size and the Association with Body Size Satisfaction in Children

OBJECTIVE

Extensive evidence suggests that children and adolescents often inaccurately perceive their body size. However, the extent of this misperception is unclear. This paper describes the agreement between children's actual weight and the perception of body size (self-reported and maternally reported) and the association of actual weight with self-reported body satisfaction.

METHODS

In a population-based cohort study of 3,408 children aged 9 to 10 years, we assessed the children's self-perception and ideal perception of their body size with the Children's Body Image Scale. Maternal perception of offspring body size was assessed with the question "How would you describe your child at the moment?" Children's height and weight were measured.

RESULTS

Children tended to rate themselves toward average proportions; e.g., 83.0% of 499 children with overweight/obesity perceived themselves as less heavy then they were. Of those who underestimated their body size, most (79.2%) had a desire to be thinner; all of the children who correctly recognized their overweight/obesity had such a desire.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the misperception of body size, the majority of children with overweight/obesity indicated dissatisfaction with their body size, suggesting more self-awareness than would be assumed based on the self-perception assessment of body size alone.

Uso de redes sociais, influência da mídia e insatisfação com a imagem corporal de adolescentes brasileiras

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar relações entre a influência da mídia e o uso de redes sociais na imagem corporal (IC) de adolescentes do sexo feminino. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com meninas adolescentes estudantes de escola pública e de uma organização não governamental da capital e do interior de São Paulo. Além de variáveis sociodemográficas e antropométricas, a avaliação da (IC) foi realizada pela Escala de Silhuetas Brasileiras. A influência da mídia foi avaliada pela subescala 1 de internalização geral da Escala de Atitudes Socioculturais em Relação à Aparência (SATAQ-3). Por fim, foram aplicadas perguntas sobre a frequência de acesso às mídias sociais e possível influência delas na IC. Resultados Participaram 212 meninas (14,8; DP 1,69 anos), sendo a maioria eutrófica (65,1%), pertencentes às classes sociais D e E, com escolaridade materna correspondente ao ensino médio completo; 85,8% estavam insatisfeitas com a IC; a maioria desejava uma silhueta menor. As meninas que escolheram figuras menores como desejadas apresentaram valores superiores na SATAQ-3 (p < 0,001). O acesso diário maior de 10 vezes ao dia ao Facebook e Instagram aumentou a chance de insatisfação em 6,57 e 4,47 vezes, respectivamente. Conclusão As mídias, incluindo as redes sociais, estão associadas à insatisfação da IC de meninas adolescentes.

Body image dissatisfaction and its determinants among young primary-school adolescents

Objectives

Awareness of body image perception among children and adolescents has been rising during recent years. The objectives of this study were to identify body image dissatisfaction and its associated factors among primary-school students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven randomly selected primary schools, involving students aged 11 to 12. A guided self-administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic data, body mass index (BMI) parameters, and body image perception (Childress Contour Drawing Rating Scale), was used.

Results

This study involved 776 primary-school students. Approximately 60.1% of students had body image dissatisfaction, which was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with sex and Body Mass Index (BMI). Females had 2.07 times higher rates of body image dissatisfaction (b = 0.73, OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.53, 2.81, p < 0.001) compared to their male counterparts when adjusted for other variables. Overweight/obese students had 4.06 times greater body image dissatisfaction (b = 1.40, OR = 4.06, 95% CI 2.70, 6.10, p < 0.001) compared to students with normal BMI when adjusted for other variables.

Conclusion

This study highlights a high prevalence of body image dissatisfaction that is correlated with sex and BMI among primary-school students.

Influencing Factors of the Body Mass Index of Elementary Students in Southern Taiwan

The body mass index (BMI) of school children in Taiwan is markedly increasing. According to statistical data from the Taiwan Ministry of Education, the prevalence of obesity in school children from the southern part of the country is the highest in Taiwan. Thus, exploring the factors influencing BMI in elementary school children from southern Taiwan is crucial. This study investigated the influencing factors including physical activity levels, sedentary behaviors, dietary habits, and perceived body shape on the BMIs of elementary school children from southern Taiwan. A cross-sectional design was used, and the participants consisted of 3251 fifth-grade students (1628 boys, 50.1%; 1623 girls, 49.9%). The average BMI values for boys and girls were 19.69 and 18.70 (kg/cm) respectively. Statistically significant associations were observed between BMI and sex, 31–60 min of daily vigorous or moderate physical activities levels, length of time spent watching television, time spent on video games or the computer, and intake of vegetable or meat gravy with rice (p < 0.001). Perceived body shape also affected the BMI of school children. The results of this study enable educational institutions in Taiwan to understand the factors affecting the BMI of school children and use this information as the basis for future healthy body weight policies.