Body esteem in British children: differences due to weight status, ethnicity and gender

Abstract

Body esteem is an important variable that has been linked to a range of negative health outcomes including depression, negative affect, obesity and increased risk of suffering from eating disorders. However, little information is available regarding the ethnic differences in body esteem in Britsih children. Objective: To examine gender, ethnic and weight status differences in body esteem in a sample of British children. Methods: The study was cross sectional in design and assesses body esteem and weight status in 756 children (394 boys, 362 girls, mean age 11.4 ± 1.6 years) Body esteem was determined using the body esteem scale for children. Height and body mass were measured directly. Body mass index was determined as kg/m². Overweight/obesity status was determined using child-specific, International Obesity task force cut-off points. Results: A 2 (gender) X 3 (ethnicity) X 2(weight status)ways analysis of variance (ANCOVA) controlling for age indicated that body esteem was higher for normal weight boys compared to girls whereas body esteem scores were similar for boys and girls in the overweight/obese category (P = 0.044). Body esteem scores were higher in boys compared to girls from white and black ethnic groups but this pattern was reversed for Asian boys and girls (P = 0.039). Conclusions: Findings of this study indicate that body esteem interacts with weight status and ethnicity across gender groups in British children after controlling for age. In the context of the current study overweight children and Asian boys may be particular populations where future research needs to focus.