Gemma Tatangelo

A systematic review of body dissatisfaction and sociocultural messages related to the body among preschool children.

This systematic review examines body dissatisfaction and the influence of sociocultural messages related to body image among preschool children. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and 16 studies were included in the final analysis. Findings suggest that children under the age of 6 years old experience body dissatisfaction, however, the proportion of children who are dissatisfied varied from around 20% to 70%, depending on the method of assessment. The literature was divided on whether preschool aged girls experience more body dissatisfaction than boys. Parental influence appears to be an important factor in the development of preschool childrens body dissatisfaction and attitudes. However, more research is needed to understand the influences of childrens peers and the media. The need for more sensitive measures of body dissatisfaction and prevention programs for preschool children is discussed.

Children’s body image and social comparisons with peers and the media

Social comparisons are related to the development of body dissatisfaction among adolescents and adults, yet this relationship remains relatively unexamined among children. This study examines children’s peer and media-related social comparisons, and how this impacts on their body image. Children aged 8–10 years completed interviews (17 girls and 19 boys in individual interviews, and 16 girls and 16 boys in focus groups). Analyses revealed that appearance-related comparisons were more common among girls, whereas sports/ability-related comparisons were more common for boys. In addition, boys viewed media comparisons as inspiring, whereas girls reported negative emotions. Implications for future research and prevention programmes are discussed.

Healthy me: A gender-specific program to address body image concerns and risk factors among preadolescents

This study evaluated a gender-specific, school-based program to promote positive body image and address risk factors for body dissatisfaction. In total, 652 children aged 8-10 years participated (335 intervention, 317 wait-list control). Children participated in four 60min sessions and a recap session at three months post-intervention. The broad content areas were body image, peer relationships, media awareness, healthy diet, and exercise. The activities and examples for each session were gender specific. The recap session was an overview of the four sessions. Assessment measures were completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and after the recap. Boys and girls in the intervention demonstrated higher muscle esteem and vegetable intake at post-intervention, compared to children in the control condition. Boys and girls demonstrated higher body esteem, muscle esteem and fruit and vegetable intake at the recap. Boys in the intervention demonstrated less investment in masculine gender norms at post-intervention and at recap.

Gender, marital status and longevity

Most studies report a positive relationship between marital status and health, with findings consistent across cultures and countries. Gender effects are significant, with men demonstrating greater health benefit than women. The vast majority of the research has examined heterosexual marriages, yet there has been rapid evolution in society of cohabitation patterns, who can marry, and roles in marriage. In this review, we summarise research findings and discuss important future challenges. Broader work looking at the impact of social connectedness, loneliness and support on survival should be supported. Human relationships are crucial to our health and wellbeing - caring and support promote significantly better health outcomes.

Better with age: A health promotion program for men at midlife

The current study evaluated a new program designed to improve mental and physical health among middle-age men. The program focused on increasing awareness of health behaviors such as diet, exercise and on improving positive body image messages, self-efficacy and coping skills. Seventy-six men aged 40 to 65 years participated in the study, with 43 men in the intervention group (M = 51.40 years; SD = 7.52 years) and 33 men in the waitlist control group (M = 54.93 years; SD = 4.81 years). Participants in the intervention group attended a 90 min workshop each week for 4 consecutive weeks. Measures of the above target variables were taken preprogram, postprogram, and at 3-month follow-up. The program was effective in improving numerous adaptive coping strategies and body fat percentage at follow-up. In addition, trends toward improving healthy lifestyle factors were observed. Other measures, including self-efficacy and body image, did not reveal significant improvements as a result of the intervention. Findings are discussed in terms of previous research and suggestions for future prevention programs.

Preadolescent boys' investment in masculine gender norms and their use of body change strategies

By the age of 8 years, boys experience body dissatisfaction and use strategies to become thinner and more muscular. The factors contributing to these outcomes are not well understood. This study examines boys’ investment in masculine gender norms and how this relates to their body esteem and their use of body change strategies. Participants were 321 boys aged 7 to 11 years in Melbourne, Australia. The results indicated that boys are invested in masculine physical ideals of strength and athleticism. Investment in these masculine ideals predicted boys’ use of body change strategies. In addition, investment in masculine gender norms moderated the relationship between pressures from peers and boys’ use of body change strategies. The findings highlight the importance of gender norms in shaping boys’ body change strategies at a young age. They also identify several avenues for further research, including the ways in which boys may feel pressure to display gender congruent characteristics and how this is related to their development.