To me she is perfect: Perceptions of Self-Body Image among Mexican Kindergarten-aged Children and their Mothers

Abstract

Obesity is increasingly prevalent in Mexico. Body image proposes a challenge for many obese people, and body image dissatisfaction has been documented as early as elementary school age. Considering Kindergarten-aged children can be influenced by negative comments about weight, we hypothesized body dissatisfaction of Kindergarten-aged children will be influenced by mother’s body image perceptions. Thus, this preliminary study examines whether maternal perceptions of body image with her body and/or her children’s body, influences the child’s perceptions of their body and their mother’s. The Stunkard's Figure Rating Scale (FRS) was administered to 12 Mexican mothers and their children in a low income Kindergarten in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Mothers and children were asked separately to identify their “real figures,” and their “ideal figures” in a figure scale. Children’s perceptions of their mother’s “real figure” differed significantly from mother’s self-perceptions (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, children’s satisfaction with their mothers “real figure” and mother’s satisfaction with their own “real figure” were significantly different (p < 0.005). While all but one mother wished to lose weight, 50% of children were satisfied with their mothers’ figure (6/12), and 42% thought their mother needed to gain weight. There were no significant differences between children and mother’s perceptions of child’s figure (p= .75), child’s ideal figure (p= .51), and satisfaction with child’s “real figure” (p= 0.55). Overall, children’s perception of their mothers “real figure” is different than how mothers see themselves. Yet, the child and mother’s perceptions of the child’s current and ideal figure showed little difference.