The Influence of Primary Caregivers on Body Size and Self-Body Image of Preschool Children in Taiwan

主要照顧者對台灣學齡前兒童的體型及體型意識的影響

Yue-Ching Wong ； Yu-Jhen Chang ； Chia-Jung Lin

《Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition》 22卷2期 (2013/04) Pp. 283-291

https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.2013.22.2.05

摘要

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate preschool children's body size and image, and analyze the impact of the primary caregiver on a child's body size and awareness in Taiwan. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 699 preschool children and their primary caregivers participated in this study. Our study used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, which was divided into parts A and part B. Part A was a questionnaire for the primary caregivers, including their demographic and anthropometric information, and expectation for children's body size. Part B was a two part questionnaire for children, including the children's expectation on their own body size and their consciousness in terms of body size evaluation by parents and teachers. Data was analyzed by chi-square analysis. RESULTS: In our study, the majority of boys and girls have a normal body size (69.0% and 64.6%, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation (p＜0.05) between children and primary caregivers' body size, and a negative correlation (p＜0.05) between children body size and caregivers' education level. Furthermore, we found that caregiver's satisfaction and evaluation of the children's body size had significantly affected the children's satisfaction towards their body size. CONCLUSION: Influences by the primary caregiver is an important factor that affects a preschool child's body size and body image in Taiwan. Body size evaluation by caregivers will influence the child's satisfaction level.

關鍵字

學齡前兒童 ； 體型意識 ； 體型 ； 照顧者 ； 體型滿意度

並列摘要

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate preschool children's body size and image, and analyze the impact of the primary caregiver on a child's body size and awareness in Taiwan. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 699 preschool children and their primary caregivers participated in this study. Our study used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, which was divided into parts A and part B. Part A was a questionnaire for the primary caregivers, including their demographic and anthropometric information, and expectation for children's body size. Part B was a two part questionnaire for children, including the children's expectation on their own body size and their consciousness in terms of body size evaluation by parents and teachers. Data was analyzed by chi-square analysis. RESULTS: In our study, the majority of boys and girls have a normal body size (69.0% and 64.6%, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation (p＜0.05) between children and primary caregivers' body size, and a negative correlation (p＜0.05) between children body size and caregivers' education level. Furthermore, we found that caregiver's satisfaction and evaluation of the children's body size had significantly affected the children's satisfaction towards their body size. CONCLUSION: Influences by the primary caregiver is an important factor that affects a preschool child's body size and body image in Taiwan. Body size evaluation by caregivers will influence the child's satisfaction level.

並列關鍵字

preschool children ； body image ； body size ； caregivers ； satisfaction of body size

參考文獻

Tsai MR, Chang YJ, Lien PJ, Wong YC. Survey on eating disorders related thoughts, behaviors and dietary intake in female junior high school students in Taiwan. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr.2011;20:196-205.

Huang SJ, Hung WC, Yin YW. The longitudinal study of body image of the undergraduate students: the influence of gender. Chinese Jounal of School Health. 2003;43:24-41. (In Chinese)

Deleel ML, Hughes TL, Miller JA, Hipwell A , Theodore LA. Prevalence of Eating Disturbance and Body Image Dissatisfaction in Young Girls: An Examination of the Variance across Racial and Socioeconomic Groups. Psychol Sch. 2009;46:767-75.

Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Wille N, Holling H, Vloet TD ,Ravens-Sieberer U. Disordered eating behaviour and attitudes, associated psychopathology and health-related quality of life: results of the BELLA study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008;17 Suppl 1:82-91.

Gualdi-Russo E, Albertini A, Argnani L, Celenza F, Nicolucci M ,Toselli S. Weight status and body image perception in Italian children. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2008;21: 39-45.