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

Author

Listed:
  • Rubén Navarro-Patón

    (Facultad de Formación del Profesorado, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27001 Lugo, Spain)

  • Marcos Mecías-Calvo

    (Facultad de Formación del Profesorado, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27001 Lugo, Spain
    Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain)

  • Silvia Pueyo Villa

    (Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain)

  • Vanessa Anaya

    (Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain)

  • Mariacarla Martí-González

    (Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain)

  • Joaquín Lago-Ballesteros

    (Facultad de Formación del Profesorado, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27001 Lugo, Spain)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Rubén Navarro-Patón & Marcos Mecías-Calvo & Silvia Pueyo Villa & Vanessa Anaya & Mariacarla Martí-González & Joaquín Lago-Ballesteros, 2021. "Perceptions of the Body and Body Dissatisfaction in Primary Education Children According to Gender and Age. A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12460-:d:688779
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia De Oliveira da Silva & Joanna Miguez Nery Guimarães & Rosane Härter Griep & Enirtes Caetano Prates Melo & Sheila Maria Alvim Matos & Maria Del Carmem Molina & Sandhi Maria Barreto & Maria De , 2018. "Association between Body Image Dissatisfaction and Self-Rated Health, as Mediated by Physical Activity and Eating Habits: Structural Equation Modelling in ELSA-Brasil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Bornioli, Anna & Lewis-Smith, Helena & Smith, Andrew & Slater, Amy & Bray, Isabelle, 2019. "Adolescent body dissatisfaction and disordered eating: Predictors of later risky health behaviours," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 1-1.
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