A WEIGHT ON CHILDRENS MINDS - BODY SHAPE DISSATISFACTIONS AT 9-YEARS OLD

Although adolescent dieting is common, comparatively little is known a bout its developmental course. The present study investigated the self -perception and body shape satisfaction of 9-year old girls and boys i n different weight categories. Two hundred and thirteen girls and 166 boys from three schools completed assessments of body-esteem, self-est eem, body shape preference and dietary restraint. The children's body weight and height were also measured. The heaviest children expressed the most discontent, having a low body-esteem, a desire for thinness a nd higher levels of dietary restraint. However, this desire for thinne ss and associated dieting motivation was apparent in some children in all weight categories. Furthermore, this pattern was more characterist ic of girls than boys. By the age of nine, girls and boys already diff er in their body shape satisfaction and differ in their body shape asp irations. Initiatives to reduce obesity should acknowledge these early and strongly-held gender differences or risk promoting the unwarrante d pursuit of thinness by girls.