Preschoolers' body-knowledge inaccuracy: perceptual self-deficit and attitudinal bias

Abstract

Body image research with young children has typically examined their body satisfaction and overlooked developmental theories pertaining to their emergent body-knowledge. Though existing research suggests that preschoolers do demonstrate anti-fat attitudes and weight-related stigmatisation, body dissatisfaction can be difficult to assess in preschoolers due to developmental differences in their (i) ability to perceive their actual body size accurately and (ii) make comparisons with a hypothetical ideal. We review current findings on the attitudinal component of body image in preschoolers, together with findings on the accuracy of their body size perceptions and their emergent body awareness abilities. Such an integration of the cognitive development literature is key to identifying when and how young children understand their physical size and shape; this in turn is critical for informing methodological design targeted at assessing body dissatisfaction and anti-fat attitudes in early childhood.

Keywords:

• body self-awareness
• perceptual deficit
• body image
• body dissatisfaction
• preschoolers

Notes on contributors

Sarah Dunphy-Lelii, Dr, is an associate professor in Psychology at Bard College. She is a developmental psychologist focusing on emerging theory of mind, body awareness, self-recognition, and imitation competence in typically developing preschoolers and children with autism spectrum disorders.

Merrilyn Hooley, Dr, PhD, is a developmental psychologist who lectures in the School of Psychology at Deaking University. She is interested in the areas of child health and injury, parenting and parental influences in child health outcomes, and gender development.

Lisa McGivern is a First Class Honours psychology graduate from Deakin University. Her interests are in the areas of child development, learning and cognition. She is currently a researcher in the area of psycho-onology.

Ahona Guha is an Honours student in the School of Psychology at Deaking University. She is interested in the areas of development across the lifespan, gender, childhood trauma, body image and parenting styles.

Helen Skouteris, Dr, is a professor in Developmental Psychology at Deakin University. Her areas of research expertise include maternal and childhood obesity, body image concerns across the lifespan, and parental health and well being during the transition to parenthood.

Notes

1. Body dissatisfaction is one facet of body image relating to the degree of dissatisfaction with particular aspects of the body.

2. Indeed, these patterns of physical growth during this developmental period make the Ponderal Index (with its correction of extremes) a practical alternative to BMI.