To me she is perfect: Perceptions of Self-Body Image among Mexican Kindergarten-aged Children and their Mothers

Hosseini, Raha

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90263 Copy

Description

Title

To me she is perfect: Perceptions of Self-Body Image among Mexican Kindergarten-aged Children and their Mothers

Author(s)

Hosseini, Raha

Contributor(s)

Aguayo, Liliana

Issue Date

2016

Keyword(s)

• Body Image
• Figure Rating Scale
• Perceptions
• Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is increasingly prevalent in Mexico. Body image proposes a challenge for many obese people, and body image dissatisfaction has been documented as early as elementary school age. Considering Kindergarten-aged children can be influenced by negative comments about weight, we hypothesized body dissatisfaction of Kindergarten-aged children will be influenced by mother’s body image perceptions. Thus, this preliminary study examines whether maternal perceptions of body image with her body and/or her children’s body, influences the child’s perceptions of their body and their mother’s. The Stunkard's Figure Rating Scale (FRS) was administered to 12 Mexican mothers and their children in a low income Kindergarten in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Mothers and children were asked separately to identify their “real figures,” and their “ideal figures” in a figure scale. Children’s perceptions of their mother’s “real figure” differed significantly from mother’s self-perceptions (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, children’s satisfaction with their mothers “real figure” and mother’s satisfaction with their own “real figure” were significantly different (p < 0.005). While all but one mother wished to lose weight, 50% of children were satisfied with their mothers’ figure (6/12), and 42% thought their mother needed to gain weight. There were no significant differences between children and mother’s perceptions of child’s figure (p= .75), child’s ideal figure (p= .51), and satisfaction with child’s “real figure” (p= 0.55). Overall, children’s perception of their mothers “real figure” is different than how mothers see themselves. Yet, the child and mother’s perceptions of the child’s current and ideal figure showed little difference.

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90263

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2011-67001-30101

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 Raha Hosseini

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