Body image patterns, self awareness and physical growth. Preliminary notes. Argnani L.1, Ventrella A.R.1, Toselli S.1, Brasili P.1 1Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology-Unit of Anthropology-University of Bologna, Italy A close connection between distorted body image perception and some nutritional disorders as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and obesity is fully documented (Guarino et al., 2005; McCabe et al., 2005). Overtaking this distorted perception could be an important step in the care and/or prevention of those disorders. Our purpose is to provide to children objective anthropometric indications on body dimensions for helping them to modify their self perception. For this aim we considered 464 children aged 6-11 years of North Italy (Bologna) measured in 2006 in the context of a wider semi-longitudinal study on children for assessing the variability of growth and the nutritional status. For this report, to supply an objective complete somatic profile of the subject, body mass index (kg/m2) and somatotype (Heath-Carter, 1967) were considered. Students’ self-reported Perceived Actual and Ideal self figure using Collins’ (1991) pictorial instrument scale of seven children body images were analysed, taking also into account trends with sex and age. The relation of children’s body characteristics with self body image perception and with the ideas which parents have of their children is investigated too. Methodology of silhouettes chart application is also discussed. In this study results show that children begin to develop gender based stereotypes of attractiveness early in life, but do not present particular body image distortion. Few parents of children with nutritional problems seem to be aware of the situation of their children, especially in the case of underweight subjects. These are preliminary notes of a research that could answering to the typical call for longitudinal study, to value the tracking of one’s own image perception over time.
Argnani L., Ventrella A.R., Toselli S., Brasili P. (2006). Body image patterns, self awareness and physical growth. Preliminary notes. BUDAPEST : Eotvos Lorand University.
Body image patterns, self awareness and physical growth. Preliminary notes
ARGNANI, LISA;TOSELLI, STEFANIA;BRASILI, PATRICIA
2006
Abstract
Body image patterns, self awareness and physical growth. Preliminary notes. Argnani L.1, Ventrella A.R.1, Toselli S.1, Brasili P.1 1Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology-Unit of Anthropology-University of Bologna, Italy A close connection between distorted body image perception and some nutritional disorders as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and obesity is fully documented (Guarino et al., 2005; McCabe et al., 2005). Overtaking this distorted perception could be an important step in the care and/or prevention of those disorders. Our purpose is to provide to children objective anthropometric indications on body dimensions for helping them to modify their self perception. For this aim we considered 464 children aged 6-11 years of North Italy (Bologna) measured in 2006 in the context of a wider semi-longitudinal study on children for assessing the variability of growth and the nutritional status. For this report, to supply an objective complete somatic profile of the subject, body mass index (kg/m2) and somatotype (Heath-Carter, 1967) were considered. Students’ self-reported Perceived Actual and Ideal self figure using Collins’ (1991) pictorial instrument scale of seven children body images were analysed, taking also into account trends with sex and age. The relation of children’s body characteristics with self body image perception and with the ideas which parents have of their children is investigated too. Methodology of silhouettes chart application is also discussed. In this study results show that children begin to develop gender based stereotypes of attractiveness early in life, but do not present particular body image distortion. Few parents of children with nutritional problems seem to be aware of the situation of their children, especially in the case of underweight subjects. These are preliminary notes of a research that could answering to the typical call for longitudinal study, to value the tracking of one’s own image perception over time.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
