Body Image in Pre-Adolescent Girls
Body Image Study Summary
Dieting is common behavior for girls as young as 10 years of age, according
to a weight loss study by the University of Minnesota that suggest efforts
to prevent eating disorders should not overlook pre-adolescents. Weight
preoccupation in prepubertal girls is a concern because dieting at this
age can impact growth and may increase risk for fatigue, irritability,
low self-esteem, depression and eating disorders.
Body Image Study Method
Using data from a survey of Girl Scouts researchers measured the incidence
of dieting in 234 Girl Scout troop members who were approximately 10 years
old. The weight loss survey also queried girls about their exposure to
various magazines and their awareness of the influence of the media. To
gauge their internalization of sociocultural ideals, the Girls Scouts
were asked if they agree with statements such as, "Pictures of thin
girls and women make me wish I was thin."
Body Image Study Results
Nearly 30 percent of the girls reported trying to lose weight, the researchers
found. Most of the dieters reported using healthy methods to lose weight,
such as increasing their levels of exercise and decreasing their consumption
of high-fat foods, but a small number of study participants (12) said
they took diet pills, purged or took laxatives to lose weight. Although
it is of concern that one-third of 10- and 11-year-old girls are dieting,
it was encouraging that most reported engaging in healthy behaviors.
Body Image Study - Body Shape
Asked to describe how they felt about various parts of their bodies, the
study participants tended to express the most dissatisfaction with their
stomach, thighs and body weight, and they were most satisfied with their
height, face and body shape. In terms of their internalization of sociocultural
ideals, over 25 percent of the girls agreed that: "Pictures of thin
girls and women make me wish I were thin" and "I wish I looked
like a magazine model" while far more of the Girls Scouts, nearly
60 percent, agreed that: "I do not want to look like models in magazines."
Body Image Study Conclusion
Research is needed on why early dieting happens and how sociocultural
ideals become internalized, according to the weight loss study.
Source: The American Journal of Health
Promotion - a bimonthly peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the field of
health promotion. 2001
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