Assessing Body Image in Young Children

The purpose of this study was to examine body image discrepanciesin elementary-age children in a racially diverse sample. Body image and body imagediscrepancy were measured in elementary school children (N = 58) of various racialgroups (35% Hispanic, 33% African American, 16% Caucasian, 14% other). Each participantwas shown a set of silhouette figure drawings and reported current and ideal body sizes.Children’s body discrepancies appear to change between Grades 1 and 2. Notablediscrepancies between their current and ideal figures, and their current figure andthose that they believe are most attractive, are largely absent in Grade 1, but areevident in Grade 2 and older children. No substantive racial or gender differences inbody image perceptions or dissatisfaction were observed in this sample. Body imagedissatisfaction may begin as early as second grade in both girls and boys of variousracial and ethnic backgrounds. These findings provide preliminary evidence that bodydiscrepancies may begin much earlier than previously thought