Body images of 4–8‐year‐old girls at the outset of their first artistic gymnastics class

Poudevigne, Melanie; O’Connor, Patrick J.; Laing, Emma M.; Wilson, Alissa M. R.; Modlesky, Christopher M.; Lewis, Richard D.

doi:10.1002/eat.10157

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(30 reference statements)

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“…in an attempt to make the questionnaire administration as simple and straightforward as possible. Furthermore, in the present study, older children selected larger current figures than younger children, and previous research has demonstrated that children with larger BMIs or heavier weights select larger current figures (Collins, 1991;Poudevigne et al, 2003;Rolland et al, 1996), suggesting (at least in part) that they understand the appropriate use of this measure. Importantly, this study should be viewed as preliminary work that encourages future research addressing the issue of body image dissatisfaction in young children, and the resulting psychological and health concerns.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…This Figure Rating Scale measure was selected because it is one of the few measures that was developed specifically for children that assesses self-reported body discrepancies without requiring extensive child interviews. Previous studies have found that children with larger body mass indexes (BMIs) or heavier weights select larger current figures, suggesting they are able to provide valid ratings of their current body figure (Collins, 1991; Poudevigne et al, 2003; Rolland, Farnill, & Griffiths, 1996). This effect does not vary by age, suggesting children as young as 5 years can accurately select appropriate figures (Williamson & Delin, 2001).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing Body Image in Young Children

et al. 2013

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The purpose of this study was to examine body image discrepancies in elementary-age children in a racially diverse sample. Body image and body image discrepancy were measured in elementary school children (N = 58) of various racial groups (35% Hispanic, 33% African American, 16% Caucasian, 14% other). Each participant was shown a set of silhouette figure drawings and reported current and ideal body sizes. Children's body discrepancies appear to change between Grades 1 and 2. Notable discrepancies between their current and ideal figures, and their current figure and those that they believe are most attractive, are largely absent in Grade 1, but are evident in Grade 2 and older children. No substantive racial or gender differences in body image perceptions or dissatisfaction were observed in this sample. Body image dissatisfaction may begin as early as second grade in both girls and boys of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. These findings provide preliminary evidence that body discrepancies may begin much earlier than previously thought.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Body Image in Young Children

et al. 2013

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“…In line with the findings of other studies on young athletes (10), the level of satisfaction of these pre-menarcheal RG was similar to that of C (FID), even if RG have index values closer to 0 (complete satisfaction). Poudevigne et al (40) also found that the body image dissatisfaction of beginning gymnasts, aged 4 -8 years, did not differ significantly from controls. However, it is important to point out that body ideals change with age (especially during adolescence) and thus dissatisfaction may emerge in gymnasts at a later age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Anthropometric Indicators of Body Image Dissatisfaction and Perception Inconsistency in Young Rhythmic Gymnastics

2019

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Background: Although the positive effects of sports on body image perception are well described in the literature, rhythmic gymnasts have been reported to be at greater risk of developing body dissatisfaction and possibly eating disorders. The reason is that athletes engaged in aesthetic sports may be subject to greater pressure to be thin in order to adhere to the norms of that sport. Objectives:The aim of the present study was to evaluate body image perception and body composition in a sample of premenarcheal rhythmic gymnasts and to assess the influence of sport practice.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on a total sample of 135 girls: 64 were preadolescent rhythmic gymnasts (10.1 ± 1.8 years) divided into competitive and non-competitive athletes, while the other 71 schoolgirls (11.4 ± 0.3 years) were included as a control group. Anthropometric traits were directly collected, and BMI and body composition parameters were calculated. Body image perception and body image satisfaction were evaluated through body image indexes. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA adjusted for age and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Anthropometric traits and body composition parameters varied significantly between gymnasts and controls and between competitive and non-competitive subgroups, especially when adiposity indicators were compared. In general, rhythmic gymnasts showed a perception of their body consistent with their anthropometric characteristics and low body dissatisfaction, with competitive girls choosing a thinner silhouette as their ideal. A new index, FIDSPORT, developed by us as a simple measure of what gymnasts believe is the ideal gymnast figure compared to their actual figure, reported higher dissatisfaction between their perceived body and the body considered ideal for their sport. Moreover, rhythmic gymnasts showed a desire for a skinnier body than the control group. Practice of rhythmic gymnastics and BMI were negatively correlated with general ideal figure. Conclusions: All participants wanted to be thinner, but the ideal body image of gymnasts was thinner than that of schoolgirls. In addition, as a result of body satisfaction transiency, the ideal gymnast body image showed even lower values than the general ideal body image. This trend was well quantified by the FIDSport when compared to the FID(Feel-minus-Ideal-Discrepancy).

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“…Alarmingly, this normative discontent has recently been extended to include young girls (Phares, Steinberg, & Thompson, 2004). A number of studies have now identified a desire for thinness in 6-year-old girls (Ambrosi-Randic, 2000;Davison, Markey, & Birch, 2000;Dohnt & Tiggemann, 2004, 2005Poudevigne, O'Connor, Laing, Wilson, Modlesky, & Lewis, 2003). Not only are these 6-year-old girls dissatisfied with their bodies, but some have also attempted to diet (Tanofsky-Kraff et al, 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The contribution of peer and media influences to the development of body satisfaction and self-esteem in young girls: A prospective study.

Dohnt¹,

Tiggemann²

2006

Developmental Psychology

274

163

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This study aimed to prospectively examine the role of peer and media influences in the development of body satisfaction (incorporating the desire for thinness and satisfaction with appearance) in young girls, as well as the relationship between body satisfaction and self-esteem. A sample of 97 girls 5-8 years of age completed individual interviews at Time 1 and 1 year later at Time 2. Linear panel analyses found that Time 1 perception of peers' desire for thinness was temporally antecedent to girls' desire for thinness, appearance satisfaction, and self-esteem 1 year later. In addition, the watching of appearance-focused television programs was temporally antecedent to appearance satisfaction. Finally, girls' desire for thinness was found to temporally precede low self-esteem. Thus, as early as school entry, girls appear to already live in a culture in which peers and the media transmit the thin ideal in a way that negatively influences the development of body image and self-esteem.

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Body images of 4–8‐year‐old girls at the outset of their first artistic gymnastics class

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Assessing Body Image in Young Children

Assessing Body Image in Young Children

Anthropometric Indicators of Body Image Dissatisfaction and Perception Inconsistency in Young Rhythmic Gymnastics

The contribution of peer and media influences to the development of body satisfaction and self-esteem in young girls: A prospective study.

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