Ethnic differences in body weight and body appearance perception among US schoolchildren: Results from the 2001 HBSC survey

Background:

Poor body image is related to increasing body weight and multiple adverse outcomes in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine ethnic, age and gender effects on adolescents' body image.

Methods:

Perceived appearance (being good looking), perceived body image, height and weight were assessed in a nationally representative sample of students in grades 6 through 10 (n=13,267) who participated in the 2001 Health Behaviors in School-Aged Children survey. African-American and Hispanic students were over-sampled to provide better population estimates. The association between age and body-image variables and between reported body mass index and perceived body image across different ethnic groups was examined with non-parametric regression.

Results:

Perceived appearance was similar in White and Hispanic students but was significantly higher in African- American students. Perceived appearance decreased significantly with age in African-American boys but otherwise did not vary over age within other gender and ethnic groups. The perception of being too fat differed slightly between ethnic groups but was unchanged across age; the exception was a significant increase in 11- to 13-year-old White girls. Boys did not report being too fat unless their BMI was above the median; however, one third of White girls felt too fat at or below the age- and gender-specific median.

Conclusion:

Substantial ethnic differences in adolescents' body perception may have consequences for self-image and dietary behaviors within specific at-risk groups.