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Body size perception among migrant children and their mothers in Beijing, China
Author(s) -
Leung May May,
Bentley Margaret,
Jing Jun,
Guo Yuhua
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a312-c
Subject(s) - beijing , overweight , socioeconomic status , china , perception , population , nutrition transition , obesity , psychology , gerontology , geography , demography , environmental health , medicine , sociology , archaeology , neuroscience
Globalization and rapid socioeconomic growth in China has created demand for urban labor, resulting in substantial migration of rural workers to cities. This pilot ethnographic study explores changes in diets, activities, and lifestyles among migrant families in Beijing. Through in‐depth interviews, we investigated perceptions about body image, size and characteristics of health among migrant children and their mothers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 24 migrant children aged 10 to 14 years residing in Beijing <1 year or >3 years. Body size perceptions were assessed using a Body Image Assessment methodology. The results showed no differences in body size perception and the amount of time since migrating to Beijing. Overall, boys and girls thought themselves as too thin. Mothers expressed concern about their children's thinness and preferred them to become “a little fatter”. Children and mothers defined health as “having no illness” and “being strong” and felt that a healthy body was larger than the children's current body size. These qualitative data provide insights into the process of the nutrition transition in China among a population at risk for overweight and obesity. Research supported by NIH/Fogarty and the Carolina Population Center/Mellon Foundation.