BMI and sociodemographic correlates of body image perception and attitudes in school-aged children. Issue 10 (4th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duchin, Ofra; Mora-Plazas, Mercedes; Marin, Constanza; de Leon, Carlos Mendes; Lee, Joyce M; Baylin, Ana; Villamor, Eduardo
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 17:Issue 10(2014)
• Page Start: 2216
• Page End: 2225
• Publication Date: 2013-09-04
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980013002309
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1" sec-type="general"> <title>Objective</title> <p>The aim of the present study was to identify correlates of body image perception and dissatisfaction among school-aged children from Colombia, a country undergoing the nutrition transition.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs2" sec-type="general"> <title>Design</title> <p>Cross-sectional study. Using child-adapted Stunkard scales, children were asked to indicate the silhouette that most closely represented their current and desired body shapes. Body image dissatisfaction (BID) score was estimated as current minus desired silhouette. Height and weight were measured in all children. Sociodemographic data were collected through questionnaires completed by the children's mothers.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs3" sec-type="general"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Public primary schools in Bogotá, Colombia.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs4" sec-type="subjects"> <title>Subjects</title> <p>Children aged 5–12 years (<italic>n</italic> 629) and their mothers.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs5" sec-type="results"> <title>Results</title> <p>Mean BID score was 0·1 (<sc>sd</sc> 1·7). The strongest predictor of BID was actual BMI-for-age <italic>Z</italic>-score (BAZ). Compared with children with BAZ ≥ −1 and <1, those with BAZ ≥ 2 had a 1·9 units higher BID score (<italic>P</italic> for trend <0·0001). BID tended to be higher in girls than boys at any level of BAZ. Other correlates of BID included child's height-for-age <italic>Z</italic>-score, maternal BMI and dissatisfaction with the child's body, and home ownership.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs6" sec-type="conclusion"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Among school-aged children from a country experiencing the nutrition transition, body image perception was associated with the child's weight and height, and with maternal BMI, dissatisfaction with the child's body and socio-economic level.</p> </sec> </abstract>