Body Ideals and Body Dissatisfaction Among a Community Sample of Ethnically Diverse Adolescents on Kauai, Hawaii.

Abstract

Introduction: Body dissatisfaction (BD), a risk factor for eating disorders, is occurring at younger ages and among a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural groups.

Objective: To describe body ideals and prevalence of body satisfaction among an ethnically diverse population of male and female students in Hawaii.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey including biographical information and the figure drawing screen was distributed to 7^th through 12^th grade students.

Results: Of the 1330 completed surveys, 19% of students were significantly dissatisfied with their bodies. Males were at greater risk than females for total BD (25.8% vs. 13.3%; p<0.001) and for BD in the direction of wanting to be larger (11.3% vs. 2.3%; p<0.001). Males and females were at similar risk for BD in the direction of wanting to be thinner (14.6% vs. 11.6%; p=0.11). Prevalence of BD in the direction of wanting to be thinner was significantly different (p<0.05) among ethnic groups. There were no significant differences in BD based on grade level or SES.

Conclusions: BD exists among nearly 1 out of 5 adolescents, with differing patterns for males and females, and with certain ethnic groups being at higher risk.

Implications: Studies to understand risk and protective factors by sex and among different ethnic groups may help generate tailored prevention strategies. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the bidirectional BD seen in males and potential outcomes.