The association between global self-esteem, physical self-concept and actual vs ideal body size rating in Chinese primary school children

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether the discrepancy between actual and ideal body size rating is related to Chinese children's global self-esteem and global physical self-concept. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of school children who completed questionnaires related to global self-esteem, global physical self-concept, and actual vs ideal body size. SUBJECTS: A total of 386 Chinese children (44% girls and 56% boys) aged 7-13 y from a primary school in Hong Kong, China. MEASUREMENTS: Global self-esteem and physical self-concept were measured using the physical self-descriptive questionnaire. Actual vs ideal body size discrepancy was established using the silhouette matching task. RESULTS: No significant relationship was found between global self-esteem and actual-ideal body size discrepancy of children. Global physical self-concept had a moderate negative correlation (r ¼ À0.12) with the body size discrepancy score and the discrepancy score explained very limited variance (R 2 ¼ 0.015; F(1, 296) ¼ 4.51; Po0.05) in global physical self-concept. Three body size discrepancy groups (none, positive, and negative) were examined to see if there were any significant differences in global self-esteem, global physical self-concept, and specific dimensions of physical self-concept. A significant overall difference was found between groups for global physical self-concept (F ¼ 3.73, Po0.05) and the physical self-concept subscales of physical activity (F ¼ 3.25, Po0.05), body fat (F ¼ 61.26, Po0.001), and strength (F ¼ 5.26, Po0.01). Boys scored significantly higher than girls on global physical self-conceptFespecially in the sport competence, strength, and endurance subscales. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the actual-ideal body size discrepancy rating of Chinese children was not predictive of global physical self-concept and global self-esteem. These findings are contrary to those reported in Western children, which may mean that culture plays a role in the formation of body attitude.

Overweight, Body Image, and Depression in Asian and Hispanic Adolescents

“…The relationship between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem has often been found to be significant and stronger in girls than in boys 4. In Stice’s study, for instance, body image dissatisfaction was a significant factor in predicting whether adolescent girls developed depression later 59.…”

“…Pediatric overweight has been associated with depression and anxiety;1 peer isolation and discrimination;2,3 low self-esteem,4 self-concept,5 and social cooperation skills;6 family disharmony;7 dislike of school or trouble with teachers;7 and poor health-related quality of life 8. The underlying mechanisms have been presumably related to the reflected self-appraisal hypothesis and social comparison theory,9-11 which mainly involve cultural norms and social desirability of ideal weight and the process of self-appraisal and social comparison of body image and physical attractiveness.…”

Transition from childhood to adolescence: Quality of life changes 6 years later in patients born with anorectal malformations

“…Findings highlight that despite achieving better QoL in the continence areas, emotional and social functioning and body image QoL areas tend to decrease as patient with anorectal malformation grow. Based on these findings, early interventions focused on the individual emotional and social responses to the ARM condition and aimed at preventing body dissatisfaction may be implemented, also considering that low emotional and social functioning and body image perceptions are often associated with two important mental health indicators: depression and self-esteem [20][21][22][23].…”

Overweight trajectories and psychosocial adjustment among adolescents

“…Given the fact that obesity is viewed as a non-desirable and stigmatizing characteristic in the American culture, and that many youth are preoccupied with cultural expectations of a slim body as the standard of beauty, being obese has been assumed to predispose youth to depressive symptoms (Merikangas et al, 2012; Roberts, 2000; Sanchez-Villegas et al, 2012; Ting et al, 2012), social isolation (Strauss and Pollack, 2003; Xie, 2005), low self-esteem (Lau et al, 2004), poor health-related quality of life (Pinhas-Hamiel et al, 2006; Tyler et al, 2007), and psychosocial adjustment problems(Erermis et al, 2004). With the development of cognitive functioning during adolescence, the process of self-appraisal and social comparison of body image and physical attractiveness is presumed more operative and relevant to psychosocial adjustment problems among adolescents than among children (Bradley et al, 2008; Harter, 2006).…”