Body size dissatisfaction among young Chinese children in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

Gemma Knowles; Fiona Chun Man Ling; G Neil Thomas; Peymane Adab; Alison M McManus

doi:10.1017/S1368980014000810

Body size dissatisfaction among young Chinese children in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

Gemma Knowles, Fiona Chun Man Ling, G Neil Thomas, Peymane Adab, Alison M McManus

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential predictors of body size dissatisfaction in Chinese children.

DESIGN: The Child's Body Image Scale was used to assess body size perception and dissatisfaction. BMI was calculated from objectively measured height and weight. Predictors of body size dissatisfaction were examined by logistic regression analysis.

SETTING: Hong Kong, China.

SUBJECTS: Six hundred and twenty children (53 % boys, aged 6·1-12·9 years) from a state-run primary school.

RESULTS: Female sex (adjusted OR (AOR)=1·91; 95 % CI 1·32, 2·76), age (AOR=2·62; 95 % CI 1·65, 4·16 for 8-10 years; AOR=2·16; 95 % CI 1·38, 3·38 for >10 years), overweight (AOR=6·23; 95 % CI 3·66, 10·60) and obesity (AOR=19·04; 95 % CI 5·64, 64·32) were positively associated with desire to be thinner. Size misperception was a strong predictor of body size dissatisfaction, irrespective of actual weight status (AOR=1·90; 95 % CI 1·02, 3·54 for overestimation; AOR=0·43; 95 % CI 0·27, 0·67 for underestimation).

CONCLUSIONS: Body size dissatisfaction is prevalent among Chinese children as young as 6 years. Female sex, age, overweight, obesity and overestimation of size were associated with increased desire to be thinner. These findings emphasise the importance of preventing body image issues from an early age.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1067-1074
Number of pages	8
Journal	Public Health Nutrition
Volume	18
Issue number	6
Early online date	20 May 2014
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980014000810
Publication status	Published - Apr 2015

Keywords

Body Dysmorphic Disorders
Body Mass Index
Child
Child Development
Cohort Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Hong Kong
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Models, Psychological
Overweight
Pediatric Obesity
Perception
Prevalence
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Risk Factors
Schools
Sex Factors

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1017/S1368980014000810

Knowles_et_al_Body_size_dissatisfaction_Public_Health_Nutrition_2015
Copyright © The Authors 2014 Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980014000810 Eligible for repository under CUP policy at time of initial publication
Final published version, 151 KBLicence: Other (please specify with Rights Statement)

http://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1368980014000810

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@article{c83dd62063b14c8784e037ebe9b5eb26,

title = "Body size dissatisfaction among young Chinese children in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study",

abstract = "OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential predictors of body size dissatisfaction in Chinese children.DESIGN: The Child's Body Image Scale was used to assess body size perception and dissatisfaction. BMI was calculated from objectively measured height and weight. Predictors of body size dissatisfaction were examined by logistic regression analysis.SETTING: Hong Kong, China.SUBJECTS: Six hundred and twenty children (53 % boys, aged 6·1-12·9 years) from a state-run primary school.RESULTS: Female sex (adjusted OR (AOR)=1·91; 95 % CI 1·32, 2·76), age (AOR=2·62; 95 % CI 1·65, 4·16 for 8-10 years; AOR=2·16; 95 % CI 1·38, 3·38 for >10 years), overweight (AOR=6·23; 95 % CI 3·66, 10·60) and obesity (AOR=19·04; 95 % CI 5·64, 64·32) were positively associated with desire to be thinner. Size misperception was a strong predictor of body size dissatisfaction, irrespective of actual weight status (AOR=1·90; 95 % CI 1·02, 3·54 for overestimation; AOR=0·43; 95 % CI 0·27, 0·67 for underestimation).CONCLUSIONS: Body size dissatisfaction is prevalent among Chinese children as young as 6 years. Female sex, age, overweight, obesity and overestimation of size were associated with increased desire to be thinner. These findings emphasise the importance of preventing body image issues from an early age.",

keywords = "Body Dysmorphic Disorders, Body Mass Index, Child, Child Development, Cohort Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Hong Kong, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Models, Psychological, Overweight, Pediatric Obesity, Perception, Prevalence, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Risk Factors, Schools, Sex Factors",

author = "Gemma Knowles and Ling, {Fiona Chun Man} and Thomas, {G Neil} and Peymane Adab and McManus, {Alison M}",

year = "2015",

month = apr,

doi = "10.1017/S1368980014000810",

language = "English",

volume = "18",

pages = "1067--1074",

journal = "Public Health Nutrition",

issn = "1368-9800",

publisher = "Cambridge University Press",

number = "6",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Body size dissatisfaction among young Chinese children in Hong Kong

T2 - a cross-sectional study

AU - Knowles, Gemma

AU - Ling, Fiona Chun Man

AU - Thomas, G Neil

AU - Adab, Peymane

AU - McManus, Alison M

PY - 2015/4

Y1 - 2015/4

N2 - OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential predictors of body size dissatisfaction in Chinese children.DESIGN: The Child's Body Image Scale was used to assess body size perception and dissatisfaction. BMI was calculated from objectively measured height and weight. Predictors of body size dissatisfaction were examined by logistic regression analysis.SETTING: Hong Kong, China.SUBJECTS: Six hundred and twenty children (53 % boys, aged 6·1-12·9 years) from a state-run primary school.RESULTS: Female sex (adjusted OR (AOR)=1·91; 95 % CI 1·32, 2·76), age (AOR=2·62; 95 % CI 1·65, 4·16 for 8-10 years; AOR=2·16; 95 % CI 1·38, 3·38 for >10 years), overweight (AOR=6·23; 95 % CI 3·66, 10·60) and obesity (AOR=19·04; 95 % CI 5·64, 64·32) were positively associated with desire to be thinner. Size misperception was a strong predictor of body size dissatisfaction, irrespective of actual weight status (AOR=1·90; 95 % CI 1·02, 3·54 for overestimation; AOR=0·43; 95 % CI 0·27, 0·67 for underestimation).CONCLUSIONS: Body size dissatisfaction is prevalent among Chinese children as young as 6 years. Female sex, age, overweight, obesity and overestimation of size were associated with increased desire to be thinner. These findings emphasise the importance of preventing body image issues from an early age.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential predictors of body size dissatisfaction in Chinese children.DESIGN: The Child's Body Image Scale was used to assess body size perception and dissatisfaction. BMI was calculated from objectively measured height and weight. Predictors of body size dissatisfaction were examined by logistic regression analysis.SETTING: Hong Kong, China.SUBJECTS: Six hundred and twenty children (53 % boys, aged 6·1-12·9 years) from a state-run primary school.RESULTS: Female sex (adjusted OR (AOR)=1·91; 95 % CI 1·32, 2·76), age (AOR=2·62; 95 % CI 1·65, 4·16 for 8-10 years; AOR=2·16; 95 % CI 1·38, 3·38 for >10 years), overweight (AOR=6·23; 95 % CI 3·66, 10·60) and obesity (AOR=19·04; 95 % CI 5·64, 64·32) were positively associated with desire to be thinner. Size misperception was a strong predictor of body size dissatisfaction, irrespective of actual weight status (AOR=1·90; 95 % CI 1·02, 3·54 for overestimation; AOR=0·43; 95 % CI 0·27, 0·67 for underestimation).CONCLUSIONS: Body size dissatisfaction is prevalent among Chinese children as young as 6 years. Female sex, age, overweight, obesity and overestimation of size were associated with increased desire to be thinner. These findings emphasise the importance of preventing body image issues from an early age.

KW - Body Dysmorphic Disorders

KW - Body Mass Index

KW - Child

KW - Child Development

KW - Cohort Studies

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Female

KW - Hong Kong

KW - Humans

KW - Logistic Models

KW - Male

KW - Models, Psychological

KW - Overweight

KW - Pediatric Obesity

KW - Perception

KW - Prevalence

KW - Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Schools

KW - Sex Factors

U2 - 10.1017/S1368980014000810

DO - 10.1017/S1368980014000810

M3 - Article

C2 - 24844379

SN - 1368-9800

VL - 18

SP - 1067

EP - 1074

JO - Public Health Nutrition

JF - Public Health Nutrition

IS - 6

ER -

Body size dissatisfaction among young Chinese children in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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