Factors associated with satisfaction and distortion of body image among children from 7 to 10 years of age

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the satisfaction and distortion of body image in children from 7 to 10 years old and to verify which anthropometric and socioeconomic factors are associated with them. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with 307 children from public schools in Goiânia. The child's health and the socioeconomic aspects of the family were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire; body image was assessed using the Brazilian Silhouettes Scale for Children; and anthropometric data on weight, height, skinfolds and waist circumference were also collected. Gender homogeneity was observed in this study, with a predominance of eutrophic(73%) boys (52%). Despite being a sample with a healthy weight, dissatisfaction and distortion of body image prevailed over most of the sample: dissatisfaction was present in 92% of children, the desire for a smaller silhouette prevailing, while distortion was present in 75% of the sample, with a predominance of underestimation of the silhouette. However, this study found dissatisfaction association with body image only with BMI (measured, current and desired) and waist circumference; and association of the distortion of the body image only with the BMI (measured and current).