Relationships between parents’ perception of their own body and body size stereotyping in preschool children

Abstract

Objectives. Body size attitudes and body image dissatisfaction develop in early childhood. The aim of the study was to examine to which extent parental body size attitudes, internalization of the gender-appropriate, socially-acceptable beauty standards, and body dissatisfaction shape the attitudes of their children towards overweight peers, and the image that they have of their own body. Sample and settings. The authors interviewed 73 preschool and school children and their parents in mother-daughter and father-son dyads evaluating corresponding constructs. Hypotheses. The authors hypothesized that preschool-age boys and girls would exhibit a positive attitude towards the thin silhouettes and a negative attitude towards overweight ones. Statistical analysis. The chi-square tests of homogeneity were used to verify the percentage, with which characteristics were attributed to the five silhouettes and also to verify the hypothesis regarding children's negative stereotypes. The multiple linear regression model that includes maternal attitude towards overweight people, body dissatisfaction, restrictive eating behavior, and internalization of the thin body ideal has been used to explore the link between body size attitudes in mothers and daughters. Results. Statistical analysis indicated that children as young as 4 years old hold prejudice against their overweight peers by attributing them a small percent of positive characteristics and a greater percentage of negative characteristics. Motherʼs body size attitude and restrictive eating behavior were associated with daughter prejudices. Paternal body size attitudes and body dissatisfaction predicted their sonʼs body size attitudes. Limitations. The procedure used to assess childrenʼs body dissatisfaction and the limited group of participants were the limitations of this study.