A lot of people today deal with body image issues. Unrealistic body image goals are set by influencers world-over and this affects people of all ages. And yes, we mean children too. A new study states that it's not just teenagers and adults who face body image issues, but children as young as 8 and 9 are facing the problem too.
A recent study found a connection between hormones and body satisfaction in young pre-pubescent children. Dr Elizabeth Hughes, the lead author of the research, that studied more than 1,100 girls and boys aged between 8 to 9 years, said the study indicated a need for strategies in schools and at home to help children maintain a positive body image prior to the onset of puberty. “What we have learned is that pre-pubescent children, as young as eight and nine, are vulnerable to poor body image and the dissatisfaction does appear to be linked to hormone levels associated with the onset of puberty,” she said. She added that girls tend to be more dissatisfied with their bodies as compared to boys. “Children with heightened levels of hormones also tend to be taller and heavier than their peers, and this could be the cause of their poor body image,” Hughes said.
With this study, Dr. Hughes hopes to start a discussion about strategies and programs that could help children maintain a positive body image prior to the onset of puberty. “There may be a need for community and school programs that help young people learn about what underpins good self-esteem because self-esteem is not solely invested in physical appearance,” she said.
The study appears in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
