The impact of weight, sex, and race/ethnicity on body dissatisfaction among urban children

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relative contributions of weight status, race/ethnicity, sex, and age on body dissatisfaction in a large group of diverse children. Participants were 4th–6th graders (N = 1212) in ten inner-city schools who participated in an obesity prevention study previously published. Children completed the body dissatisfaction subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), and weight status was assessed by measured weights and heights. Multiple regression analyses were conducted. Relative weight status was the strongest predictor of body dissatisfaction, followed by race/ethnicity, and sex. Body dissatisfaction was greatest in obese, Asian, and female children. Overall, results indicated that children's body dissatisfaction varies based on relative weight status, as well as race/ethnicity and sex among urban children. Results highlight the strong need for additional research so that more definitive conclusions may be drawn regarding the development of body image among diverse groups of children.

► Relative weight status was the strongest predictor of body dissatisfaction, followed by race/ethnicity, and sex.
► After controlling for race/ethnicity and sex, obese children had greater body dissatisfaction than overweight, normal weight, and underweight children.
► Overweight children had greater body dissatisfaction than normal weight children.
► Independent of relative weight status and sex, Asian children had greater body dissatisfaction than all other race/ethnicity groups.
► After controlling for weight status and race/ethnicity, girls still had greater body dissatisfaction than boys.