BODY-IMAGE IDEALS OF LOW-INCOME AFRICAN-AMERICAN MOTHERS AND THEIR PREADOLESCENT DAUGHTERS

Given the high incidence of obesity and obesity-related health problem s among low-income African American women, it is both timely and signi ficant to study factors that contribute to obesity in this population. The perception of current body size (body image) and desired body siz e (body image ideal) has been associated with the development of anore xia and bulimia in white adolescent girls. Body images and ideals may also be related to the development of obesity among African Americans adolescent girls. This study examined the body images and ideals of 27 low-income African American mothers and their 29 preadolescent daught ers. Results suggest that there is a relationship between mothers' per ceptions of their daughters bodies and their daughters' body images. P readolescent, low-income, African American girls have normal weight id eals rather than the ultrathin ideals typically found among white girl s. Normal weight girls have ideals that are heavier than their body im ages. This population may be less motivated than those with thinner id eals to engage in behaviors that would prevent the development of obes ity during adolescence. Health promotion programs for this population should acknowledge cultural body weight standards.