Discrepancies in body image perception among fourth-grade public school children from urban, suburban, and rural Maryland.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between body image perception and weight status as measured by the body mass index among a group of fourth graders in Maryland.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data on height, weight, and body image were collected in the classroom. At risk for being overweight and being overweight designations were assigned to participants with body mass index (BMI) percentile values for age and sex of >/=85 to <95 and BMI >/=95, respectively. Students selected a figure (range 1 to 7) to represent their current and ideal images.


METHODS
The subjects of this study were 524 fourth-grade public school students (54% girls; 61% white; mean age, 9.2 years) from three geographically distinct regions in Maryland (38.6% urban, 30.7% suburban, 30.7% rural). Statistical analyses chi(2) tests were used to compare weight status with sex, race, geographic location, and body image discrepancy categories. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare BMI and body image scores with sex and race/ethnicity to geographic location.


RESULTS
Thirteen percent of students were overweight, and 15% were at risk of overweight. There was no association between weight status and race, body image perception, or geographic location. African Americans chose larger figures than whites and other races to represent their current and ideal images and were most satisfied with their body size.


CONCLUSIONS
Perceptions of body image are formed early in life. Dietitians can provide guidance on appropriate weight and body size to children, parents, and school professionals. Dietitians can also use their influence to secure funding for nutrition education programs.
Welch
Claudette
C
Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, WIC Program, Johns Hopkins University, 111 Market Place, Suite 850, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA. cwelch@jhsph.edu
Gross
Susan M
SM
Bronner
Yvonne
Y
Dewberry-Moore
Natalie
N
Paige
David M
DM
D001741:Black or African American; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012423:Rural Health; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018881:Suburban Health; D014504:Urban Health; D044465:White People