Perceptions of body image among Japanese and Croatian children of preschool age.
This study examined the differences in current and ideal body size among 108 Japanese and 129 Croatian preschool children (M=4.9 yr.). Boys and girls in both samples showed similarities by selecting the figure representing their current body size. Significant sex differences were found in selection of an ideal figure in the Japanese sample but not in the Croatian group. Japanese girls showed greater preference for a thinner figure than boys. In selection of an ideal body size significant cultural differences were found only for boys: Japanese boys preferred thinner figures. Results relating to body discrepancy (Current minus Ideal figures) indicated that there were fewer satisfied Japanese girls than Croatian girls whereas for the boys, a significantly larger number of Japanese than Croatian boys wished to be heavier.
Ambrosi-Randić
Neala
N
Faculty of Philosophy Pula, University of Rijeka, I. M. Ronjgova 1, 52100 Pula, Croatia. neala.ambrosi-randic@pu.tel.hr
Tokuda
Katsumi
K
D001824:Body Constitution; D001828:Body Image; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017523:Croatia; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires