ERIC ED395258: Adolescent Girls: Factors Influencing Low and High Body Image.

10 Pages·1995·0.26 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
CG 027 080
ED 395 258
Jaffee, Lynn; Mahle Lutter, Judy
AUTHOR
Adolescent Girls: Factors Influencing Low and High
TITLE
Body Image.
ISSN-1043-8734
REPORT NO
PUB DATE
95
NOTE
10p.
Research/Technical (143)
Journal
Reports
PUB TYPE
Articles (080)
Melpomene Journal; v14 n2 p14-22 Sum 1995
JOURNAL CIT
MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*Adolescent Development; *Body Image; *Females;
DESCRIPTORS
Secondary Education; *Self Concept; *Self Concept
Measures; *Self Esteem; -Self Evaluation
(Individuals); Sex Stereotypes; Sexual Identity
ABSTRACT
Past research on women has indicated that a fear of
becoming fat emerges during adolescence and continues into adulthood.
This study focused on factors associated with negative or positive
body image, such as weight, physical activity, teasing, comparison to
others and racial identity. Data was drawn from an eight-page
questionnaire completed by 152 girls who participated in YWCA summer
programs in various parts of the United States. Findings indicate
that low body image was associated with several factors. Many factors
(2) perceived
concerned weight and included: (1) weight for height;
(3) worry about weight; (4) talking about weight; and (5)
weight;
attempting to lose weight. Other factors associated with negative
body image included comparison of appearance to that of others,
teasing, wanting to be attractive to boys, negative comments, and
lower levels of participation in organized sports. Girls with high
body image were less preoccupied with and less worried about their
weight, less likely to compare their appearance to that of others,
and less likely to report wanting to be attractive to boys.
Perceptions of their weight were similar for black and whites girls;
however, black girls were more likely to consider themselves
attractive, to like the way they looked, and to feel their bodies
were competent and capable. Contains 14 references; 9 tables present
data and statistical analysis. (TS)
***********************************************************************
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
***********************************************************************
Girls
ctki) Xdolescent
High Body Image
Influencing Low and
,c3 Factors
Lynn Jaffee and Judy Mahle Lutter
Review of the Literature
study of body image in ado-
This paper reports on Melpomene's recent
Melpomene's interest in the development
of body image in adolescent girls began in
associated with negative or
lescent girls. The study focused on factors
1985. At that time, Bean Robinson, a
psychologist working with Melpomene on
activity, teasing, compari-
positive body image, such as weight, physical
in-depth
an amenorrhea study, conducted
interviews with 31 women to assess eating
identity.
son to others and racial
habits and weight issues (11). Robinson
questionnaire completed by 152
found that a fear of becoming fat emerged
Data was drawn from an eight-page
during adolescence and continued into
in various parts of
adulthood. That concern was unrealistic
girls who participated in YWCA summer programs
for the sample, which was made up of
thin, physically active women whose
the United States.
and
mean body mass index (BMI) was 19.7
associated with
Our findings indicate that low body image was
whose mean body fat percentage was 17%.
Further, the study participants continually
and included: weight for
several factors. Many of them concerned weight
watchx1 what they ate; some even cut out
entire food groups in an attempt to avoid
weight, talking about
height (BMD, perceived weight, worry about
weight gain.
Robinson's findings were supported
factors associated with
weight and attempting to lose weight. Other
by Davies and Furnham (1), Nvho docu-
mented declining body satisfaction as girls
of appearance to tluit of others,
negative body image included comparison
moved through adolescence. In Davies
and Furnham's study, dissatisfaction was
comment.; and lower
teasing, wanting to be attractive to boys, negative
related to self-perceived weight and body
measurements. The study reported
levels of participation in organized sports.
dramatic differences: only 19% of the girls
who believed they were overweight were
with and worried
Girls with high body image were less preoccupied
satisfied with their hip measurements,
whereas 88% of the girls who bAieved
image. Girls with high body
about their weight than those with low body
they were underweight were satisfied.
Salmons et al. (12) also reported a
body image to compare their
image were less likely than girls with low
'decline in body satisfaction during
adolescence. They found that deviating
wanting to be attractive to boys.
appearance to that of others or report
from what was considered normal body
shape was unpopular for the girls in their
and white girls;
Perceptions of their weight were similar for black
study. They concluded, "Many young
females appear to lack a sense of indi-
themselves attractive,
however, black girls were more likely to consider
vidual physical identity .... Girls become
more deeply immersed in the slimness
their bodies were coinpetent and
to like the way they looked atv.: to feel
culture as they become young adults and
meet peer pressure and media incitement
c) capable.
to conform."
PERMISSION 10 REPRODUCE AND
U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Co
anl Imprniement
DISSEMINATE THIS MAI EHIAl
.1.,11 ex.1 ne,
Cr, e
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
HAS BEEN GRANTED By
CENTER IERIC1
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
O This document has beer, reproduced as
SAtFree
L.
ieceived hom the person or orgawation
O Minor charvien have hr made to
impiove reproduction qu., ,ly
2
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
CD 14 Melpomene Journal / Vol. 14 No. 2
Points of view or opmrons slated in this
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
document do not necessarily represent
Oval OERI position or policy
Method
In a study of young women seen at a
different races. Desmond et al. (2) reported
military adolescent outpatient clinic,
that black and white adolescents perceived
Subjects
Moore (7) reported weight and body their weight differently: white adolescent
girls tended to perceive themselves as
shape dissatisfaction among normal-
The subjects were 152 girls aged 11 to 17
weighing more than they actually did,
weight and underweight girls. In this
(mean 13.24 years) who attended YWCA
while black adolescents tended to perceive
study, 82% of the girls who indicated that
summer programs in 1994. To achieve a
they wanted to lose weight were not
their weight accurately. Additionally,
sample that was geographically and
overweight. The authors concluded that
heavy black girls were less likely than
racially diverse, the YWCA selected
many young girls have an inaccurate
heavy white girls to perceive themselves
associations in eight states. Since some
perception of what is normal weight. as overweight.
girls traveled out of state to participate in
In their three-year study of adolescent
Studying a slightly older population
programs, 12 states and Mexico were
girls, Parker, Nichter et al. reported a
of 146 female college undergraduates,
represented.
Thompson and Heinberg reported on
greater degree of dissatisfaction with
The racial composition of this sample
weight and body shape among white girls
predictors of negative body image and
consisted of 5.9% Native American, 16.4%
eating disturbances (13). Their findings than among black girls (10). Through
Black/African American, 3.3% Mexican
indicated that "negative verbal commen- interview and focus group data collection,
American/Chicano, 3.9% Puerto Rican/
the researchers found that white girls'
tary" or teasing, specifically about weight
other Latin American, 2.0% Asian/Asian
body image was influenced by a drive
or body size, rather than about appearance
American/Pacific Islander, 43.4% White/
in general, was a significant predictor of toward perfection. The perfect girl
Caucasian, 6.6% Biracial and 8.6% who
described by white respondents often
negative body image. Additionally, they
identified themselves as "Other" and 9.9%
found that girls who compared them-
mirrored tall, thin fashion models. In
who chose "Don't know."
contrast, black girls described the ideal
selves to others were likely to be dissatis-
fied with their bodies.
girl as someone with a good personality,
Data Collection
confidence and a strong sense of personal
Reporting on weight-related behaviors,
An eight-page questionnaire was devised
style. The authors concluded that white
a recent paper by Nichter et al. (8) offered
for data collection. Questions were in-
an alternative to what the researchers term girls tended to have fairly narrow param-
cluded to obtain information about
the "dichotomy of dieter/non-dieter." The
eters of the ideal, limited somewhat by age
perceived weight, worry about weight and
and weight. Black girls, on the other hand,
suggested alternative is "watching" what
dieting or "watching" food behavior. The
is eaten. The paper proposed that dieting
tended to be more flexible in defining the
questionnaire also included items relating
ideal, which was defined by inner beauty,
is a somewhat negative activity with a
to influences on body image, such as
clothes, style and movement rather than
good chance of failure, but "watching" is a
comparing appearance to that of others,
more positive attempt to control veight
by age or weight.
teasing and comments from others.
Although very little research has been
that involves such behaviors as eating
Questions also were included to deter-
conducted on the relationship of physical
more fruits and vegetables and less fat.
mine levels of physical activity and team
Nichter and Vuckovic reported on
activity and self-esteem, Melpomene's
sport participation.
work with girls has established a link
conversations among adolescent girls
Because the researchers felt it was
regarding weight and body shape that
between them. Jaffee and Ricker (5) found
important to involve girls in the procc.::: at
that girls aged 13 to 17 who felt most
they termed "fat talk" (9). They found "fat
an early stage, we convened focus groups
competent about themselves and their
talk" to be pervasive and concluded it was
of girls in the target age group of 11 to 17.
an indi':ator of preoccupation with weight.
abilities were more likely to participate in
We met with four groups of girls who
The study found that girls talked about
physical activities at higher levels than
attended ono of two private schools or one
being fat for a variety of reasons. While girls who were less confident. Jaffee and
public school in St. Paul, MN. Girls were
unhappiness with their weight was one
Manzer (4) reperted similar data for girls
asked to fill out a pilot questionnaire and
aged nine to 12. Girls in both studies
obvious reason for "fat talk," girls also
comment on the contents in the group
derived positive self-esteem from sports
engaged in it as a means of social compari-
setting.
son, a way to affiliate with a peer group
through challenge, achievement in sports,
The researchers then revised the
and as a means of gaining reassurance that
risk-taking experiences and skill develop-
questionnaire based on the girls' corn-
ment. The approval of others related to
they were not, in fact, too fat.
Weight, weight dissatisfaction and
sports skills also increased self-esteem.
body image may differ among girls of
ne.lt page
Continued
Melpomene Journal / Summer 1995 15
Adolescent Girls, cont.
each
were sent to program directors at
ments and suggestions. Examples of
participating YWCA with a cover letter
changes suggested by the girls involved
Table 1
that included detailed instructions for
wording changes as well as placement of
Average BMI by Body Image
administering the questionnaire. Youth
particular questions. (For example, the
Groups
directors administering the questionnaires
girls suggested placing the demographics
complete
were instructed to have all girls
BMI
section at the end of the questionnaire
the questionnaire at the same time to limit
(Mean)
rather than at the beginning, where they
prior discussion. The questionnaires were
22.3
felt it would discourage girls from
Low (N=26)
then returned to the researchers by mail.
20.3
Medium (N=76)
responding.)
Responses to open-ended items on
18.6
H igh (N=50)
A body image score was determined
the questionnaires were analyzed for
by adding Likert-type responses from six
content and coded. Using the JMP
questions relating directly to body image.
Statistics program from SAS Institute Inc.,
Some of the questions inclUded in the
simple frequency distributions for each
look
score were, "How do you feel you
they were trying to lose weight had an
variable were examined. Statistical
compared to other girls your age?" and "I
said they
average BMI of 21.9. Girls who
relationships between variables were
like the way I look." Girls who selected
worried about their weight had an
calculated using chi square tests for
mostly positive responses scored lowest
said
average BMI of 21.8, and girls who
significance.
on the scale. Therefore, a low score was
they did not worry about their weight had
indicative of higher body image.
an average BMI of 18.8.
Body image scores were divided into
The girls' assessment of their weight
Results
three groups. Girls scoring in the lowest
played a key role in their body image.
third were designated as having high
When the subjects were asked to place
Weight
body image. Girls scoring in the middle
themselves in one of five categories, which
third were designated as having medium
Weight was a primary determining factor
ranged from very underweight to very
body image, and girls scoring in the
of both negative and positive body image
overweight, those with low body image
highest third were designated as having
for many of the girls in this study. Girls
tended to rate themselves as overweight
low body image.
with higher body image reported being
than girls
or very overweight more often
BMI was calculated using the
thinner (a lower weight for their height,
with medium or high body image (see
BMI) than did girls with medium or low
formula:
Table 2). Of the girls with low body image,
body image (see Table 1). Girls who said
Weight in kg
Height in meters-
Developed by the National Center for
Health Statistics, BMI serves as a measure
of weight for height (14). Normal BMI
Table 2
the
ranges between 20 and 25. For women,
Girls' Perceptions of Their Weight
desirable BMI is betWeen 21.3 and 22.1. A
BMI higher than 27.3 for women has been
associated with increased risk factors for
High
Medium
Low
various health problems, such as high
Body Image
Body Image
Body Image
blood pressure and diabetes.
N=5
N=76
N=26
Procedure
0
3.9%
0
Very underweight
Participating YWCA associations were
3900
12.0%
5.3%
Underweight
selected by the YWCA of the U.S.A.
78.0%
67.1%
About the right weight
26,99.0
Melpomene asked it to select sites that
10.0%
27.6%
53.9%
Overweight
would provide national geographic
0
0
11.5%
Very overweight
distribution. The selection was also
chi square p<.001
influenced by the availability of summer
by
programs. After initial phone contact
Melpomene researchers, questionnaires
Melpomene Journal / Vol. 14 No. 2
16
4
65.4% rated themselves as overweight or
very overweight, a rating chosen by 27.6%
of the girls with medium body image and
Table 4
10% of the girls with, high body image.
Frequency of Talking about Being Fat
Weight Loss Efforts
Discor.tent with weight was more
Medium
High
Low
prevalent among girls with low body
Body Image.
Body Image
Body Image
image. Those with low body image were
N=48
N=25 N=75
more likely to report trying to lose weight
and less likely to report doing nothing
All of the time
2.1%
0
0
about their weight than those with
A lot of the time
28.0%
2.1%
9.3%
medium or high body image (see Table 3).
Sometimes
16.7%
36.0%
Girls with high body image were most
Hardly evor
29.3%
31.2%
8.09'0
likely to say they were not trying to do
Never
47.9%
28.0% 29.3%
anything about their weight. Girls with
chi square p<.005
medium and high body image were
somewhat more likely to report trying to
maintain their weight as it was, but few
girls, regardless of body image, said they
were trying to gain weight.
greatly according to body image. Those
much?" 69.2% of the girls with low body
Attitudes Regarding Weight
with low body image said they talked
image group said yes, compared to 47.4%
Worry and preoccupation with weight
about feeling fat more often than the girls
of girls with medium body image and 18%
were related to negative body image. A
of the girls with high body image.
in the other two groups (see Table 4).
strong statistical relationship (p< .001)
There was a strong relationship
Talking about Weight
existed between girls who worried about
between positive body image and not
their weight and low body image. When
talking about being too fat. The majority
The amount of time the girls reported
asked, "Do you worry that you weigh too
of girls with high body image (79.2%) said
talking with friends about feeling fat differed
they talked to their friends about feeling
fat "hardly ever" or "never," compared to
36% of girls with low body image.
Teasing
Table 3
Girls with low body image said they were
teased more often than the girls in the
Responses to "What are you trying to do about your weight?"
other two groups. Of the girls with low
body image, 57.7% reported being teased
Medium
High
Low
"sometimes" to "almost always," while
Body Image
Body Image
Body Image
that same frequency of teasing was
N=26
N=76
N=50
reported by 43.4% of the girls with
medium body image and 30% of these
Los:!
73.1%
24.0%
48.7%
with high body image.
Gain
7.7%
2.7%
6.0%
Stay the same
7.7%
27.6%
22.0°.0
Nothing
11.5%
21.1%
46.0%
chi square p<.001
nert page
Conanued
Melpomene Journal / Summer 1995 17
Adolescent Girls, cont.
Comments from Parents
Although the frequency with which
Table 6
parents commented on the girls' appear-
Responses to "If you compare your appearance, to whom
ance and achievements did not seem to
do you compare yourself?"
affect body image, the content of parental
comments was important. The body image
High
Chi
Medium
Low
scores of girls who said they received
Square
Body Image
Body Image
Body Image
negative comments from parents were
N=50
N=75
N=25
much worse than the scores of those girls
Other girls my age
who said they received positive comments.
p<.001
14.0%
with perfect bodies
30.7%
65.4%
This was true of parental comments on
both appearance and achievement.
Older girls with
p<.01
8.0%
26.7%
perfect bodies
34.6%
Girls' Perceived Influences on
Models in magazines,
Body Image
TV, newspapers,
p<.005
14.0%
46.2%
18.7%
videos, etc.
Given a list of 25 choices to answer the
Movie stars, dancers
question, "What things influence how you
p<.005
8.0%
professional athletes
18.7%
38.5%
feel about your appearance?" the items
p<.005
that differed significantly according to
2.0%
2.7%
19.2%
Teachers
body image were "losing weight," "my
weight," "my shape or figure" and
"wanting to be attractive to boys" (see
Table 5). All of these four choices were
When asked to whom they compared
52% of the girls with low body image
selected as influences more often by girls
themselves, girls with low body image
responded "almost always," compared to
with low body image than by girls with
said they compared themselves more
7.9% of the girls with medium body
medium and high body image.
often than girls with medium and high
image and 4.3% of the girls with high
body image to other girls with "perfect"
body image. There was a strong statistical
Comparison with Others
bodies, older girls with "perfect" bodies,
relationship between comparison to
When asked how frequently they com-
models, entertainers and teachers (see
othets and body image satisfaction (p< .0(M).
pared their appearance to that of others,
Table 6).
The concept of a "perfect" body was
important to girls with low body image,
who were more likelY to choose an item if
it included that phrase. For example,
Table 5
"other girls my age with 'perfect' bodies"
Influences on Feelings about Appearance
and "older girls with 'perfect' bodies"
were chosen more often than "other girls
Chi
High
Medium
Low
my age" or "older girls."
Square
Body Image
Body Image
Body Image
N=50
N=76
N=25
Change in Body Image
During adolescince, body image tends to
p<.00l
Losing weight
10.0%
21.1%
56.0%
change for girls, becoming increasingly
p<.005
18.0%
40.8%
My weight
56.0%
negative (1, 12). When asked whether and
My shape
why their feelings about their appearance
24.0%
or figure
36.8%
56.0%
had changed during the previous two
My wanting to be
years, three of the answers varied signifi-
p<.005
attractive to boys
18.0%
25.0%
56.0%
cantly, according to body image (see Table
7). Girls with low body image were much
Vol. 14 No. 2
18 Melpomene Journal
Body Image Differences
by Racial Identity
Table 7
When our data was analyzed according to
Responses to "If your ideas about your appearance have changed in
racial identity, both similarities and
the past two years, why?"
differences emerged. Our sample included
sufficient numbers to run chi square tests
of significance only for black and white
Medium
Low
High
Chi
girls and, in some cases, for Native
Body Image
Body Image
Body Image
Square
American girls.
N=20
N=71
N=48
Overall, 44% of black girls had a high
body image, compared to 31.8% of white
I have gained weight
60.0%
39.4%
22.9%
p<.01
girls and 33.3% of Native American girls.
I have been teased
White girls and black girls responded
about my weight
16.9%
35.0%
4.2%
p<.005
in a similar manner regarding their
I began to compare how
opinion of their weight. Sixty-eight
I look to models in
percent of the black girls and 68.1% of the
magazines, TV, etc.
30.0%
5.6%
8.3%
p<.005
white girls said they were "about the right
weight." However, black girls who
identified themselves as "about the right
weight" had a mean BMI of 20.9, com-
more likely to report their feelings about
with high body image. Girls with low
pared to 18.8 for white girls. Black girls
their appearance had changed because
body image were most likely to be
who classified themselves as "over-
they had gained weight, had been teased
physically active seven days a week (33%).
weight" had a mean BMI of 24.3, com-
about their weight or had begun to
Eighteen percent of the girls with medium
pared to 23.0 for white girls who classified
compare themselves with models.
body image and 26.5% of those with high
themselves as "overweight."
body image reported participating in
The percentage of black, Native
Physical Activity
physical activity seven days a week.
American and white girls saying they
Since we were particularly interested in
were "about the right weight" was nearly
the relationship between physical activity
and body image, we asked several
questions on this topic. The girls were
Continued on nem page
asked.how many school sports teams they
played on. Playing on a higher number of
school sports teams was indicative of
better body image. Body image became
Table 8
increasingly positive with ap increase in
Comparison of Appearance by Race
participation on sports teams. A question
about participation in sports teams
Black/
organized outside the school setting
Native
White/
African
Chi
produced the same result.
American
American
Caucasian
Square
In examining level of participation in
N=9
N=25
N=65
physical activity (days per week), we
found no significant differences between
I don't compare
11.1%
44.0%
13.9%
p<.005
the low, medium and high body image
66.7'.
Other girls my age
36.0%
69.2%
p<.01
groups. About half of the girls in each
Older girls with
group (low, 50%; medium, 56.6%; high,
perfect bodies
22.2%
4.0% 24.6%
NS
55.1%) were active five or more times per
Models in magazines,
week. One-quarter of the girls with low
TV, newspapers, etc.
22.2%
4.0%
NS
23.1%
body image were active two or fewer days
per week, compared tc 10.5% of girls with
medium body image and 14.3% of girls
Melpomene Journal / Summer 1995 19
Adolescent Girls, cont.
"fat talk" as a means for girls to increase
by
were cited as influences more often
identical. White girls were slightly more
self-esteem.
black and Native American girls than by
likely to report "worrying that they weigh
Comments from others, most fre-
white girls.
too much." Thirty-two percent of black
quently in the form of teasing, were
girls, 33.3% of Native American girls and
related to low body image. While the
40.9% of white girls said they worried
adolescent years are typically a time of
Discussion
about weighing too much.
developing independence from parents
When asked if they were trying to lose
Similar to earlier research, this study
and focusing more on peers, parents'
weight, 44% of the black girls and 39.4% of
found that girls overestimated their
comments still had an impact on the girls
the white girls answered affirmatively.
weight. Girls with low body image
in this sample. Girls who reported
Despite these similarities between
reported the highest BMI of 22.3, which is
receiving positive comments from their
girls of different races regarding weight,
considered a healthy weight for height
parents, both on appearance and on
when the
some stark differences emerged
Girls with medium and high body imae.
achievements, had a more positive body
girls were asked about body image in
who considered themselves overweight
image than the girls who reported receiving
general. For example, when asked to select
had even lower BMIs (medium, 22.3; high,
negative comments from their parents.
choices ranging from "very attractive" to
22.7). Higher actual weight for height and
Both the need for peer acceptance and
"very unattractive" in response to the
higher perceived weight status were
the fact that girls' bodies are changing and
statement, "I think of myself as," 40.0% of
associated with low body image.
maturing make girls vulnerable to
the black girls considered themselves
Dissatisfaction with weight, as
comments and teasing. A seemingly
"attractive" or "very attractive," com-
indicated by desire for weight loss, worry
innocuous comment regarding weight or
pared to 9.1% of the white girls (p<..01).
about weight and conversation with
body shape may be taken as negative,
Also, 36% of the black girls said they
friends about weight, was related to low
spurring concern with weight and weight
"always like the way they look." This
body image. Our data support research by
loss. For many girls, being attractive to
differed significantly (p< .001) from the
Nichter and Vuckovic (9), who describe
boys seemed to be linked to becoming thin
3% of the white girls who said they
"always like the way they look."
When asked to.respond to the
statement, "I feel competent and capable
Table 9
about my body and the things it can do,"
Influences on Perceptions of Appearance by Race
36% of the black girls said that statement
was "always true" for them, compared
Black/
with 7.6% of the white girls (p<.01).
Chi
White/
African
Native
Table 8 illustrates the differences
Square
Caucasian
American
regarding comparison of appearance. The
American.
N=65
N=25
black girls reported comparing their
N=9
appearance to others less often than either
66.2%
40.0%
white or Native American girls. Native
88.9%
How I actually look
American and white girls showed similar
p<.05
40.0%
68.0%
66.7%
My clothes
patterns in comparing themselves to
How I think I look
"other girls my age," "other girls with
compared to other
perfect bodies" and "models."
33.9%
8.0%
11.1%
people
While differences existed, influences
How well I c:..)
on body image were not clear-cut by racial
school, sports and
identity (see Table 9). For example,
NS
44.6%
24.0%
44.4%
other activities
external judgments of body image tended
p<.05
24.6%
4.0%
33.3%
Being teased
to influence white girls and, in some cases,
NS
33.9%
Native American girls more than black
40.0%
66.7%
My hair
girls. "Being teased" and "wanting to be
Wanting to be
attractive to boys" were cited as influences
p<.001
27.7%
66.7%
0
attractive to boys
by white and Native American girls more
often than by black girls. Clothes and hair
20 Melpomene Journal / Vol. 14 No. 2
Our results also indicate that the
and beautiful. This idea is repeatedly
adolescence, girls are more likely to make
black girls tended not to look to other
reinforced in the media. relationship-based decisions. Girls tend to
The study participants, especially
be more susceptible than boys to what
people to define their body image. They
those with low body image, reported that compared their looks less often and said
others will think and are concerned with
that comments or being teased did not
their body image was influenced by
being good and being liked.
feedback from the people around them.
While this report focused predomi-
influence their feelings about their
appearance. None of the black girls said
This may be either direct feedback, such as
nantly on factors associated with negative
comments, teasing and "fat talk,"or that wanting to be attractive to boys was a
body image, the data also identifies factors
associated with positive body image. Girls factor in determining body image.
indirect feedback, such as comparing them-
selves to models, teachers and other girls.
with high body image reported less Data from Native American girls did
preoccupation with weight than the girls not yield clear patterns. Other-based
Conversely, the girls with high body
image tended not to look outside them-
with low body image. Fewer of those with
factors, such as being teased and wanting
selves to define their body image. Girls
high body image worry that they weigh
to be attractive to boys, as well as compar-
with high body image tended not to talk
ing their appearance to that of others,
too much.
about being fat, didn't compa..e themselves
played a role in influencing body image
In addition, not talking about feeling
to others as often as girls with low body
for Native American girls. However, such
fat was related to high body image. Girls
with high body image compared their
image and tended not to care as much
factors as hair and clothing were also
about wanting to be attractive to boys.
strong influences.
appearance to that of others less fre-
Comparison to others occurred more
quently than girls with low body image.
While very little information exists on
frequently among girls in the low body
They were less likely than girls with low body image in Native American girls,
image group. The girls who suffered from
body image to report that "losing weight,"
McCartney et al. replicated Carol
low body image turned to the people
"my weight," "my shape or figure" or
Gilligan's research in a population of
around them to help define their body
"wanting to be attractive to boys" influ-
Ojibwa girls in North Dakota (6). Similar -
image. After "other grls my age with
enced how they felt about their looks.
to Gilligan's findings, McCartney et al
perfect bodies," models were chosen most
While participation in higher num- found that for Ojibwa girls, maintaining
by girls with low body image as the target
relationships and searching for autonomy
bers of sports teams was associated with
of their comparisons.
increasingly positive body image, partici-
were both important but sources of
With media portrayals of "ideal"
pation in physical activity (measured by
conflict. Additionally, for Native American
beauty equated with thinness and
days per week) was not related to body
girls, making relationship-based decisions
marketing efforts toward women and girls
meant considering community as well as
image.
centered around makeovers and products
In a previous Melpomene sticly of
family and friends.
or changes to meet that ideal, it is not
girls, physical activity and selt-esteem,
In light of the absence of research on
surprising that girls, especially girls with
sports team participation was found to be
this topic, as well as the small number of
low body image, compare themselves to
a source of self-esteem through approval
Native American girls in this sample, it is
the images they see in the media. Addi-
from parents, friends and peers. The girls
difficult to make definitive statements
tionally, movie stars, dancers and profes-
in that study also cited team participation
regarding this population. Further study
sional athletes, chosen third by girls with
as helpful in making them feel capable
is needed to begin to understand the
low body image, typically achieve the
and competent about their bodies (5).
development of body image in Native
same thin, idealized bodies portrayed in
Our findings indicate that while both
American girls.
the media.
black and white girls have similar
The black girls tended to have more
In addition to comparing themselves
opinions about their weight, their idea of
positive body image than the other girls in
to others, girls with low body image
body image in general may be very
this study. Parker, Nichter, et al. also
reported that teasing or negative com-
different. For white girls, body image and
reported greater body image acceptance
ments and approval or acceptance from
weight are strongly linked. There does not
among black girls than among white girls.
boys influenced how they felt about their
seem to be the same strong link for black
They found that black girls "expressed
... a
bodies. These findings are supported by
sense of self and style based on making
girls. Despite similar feelings about weight,
Harvard researcher Carol Gilligan (3) and
the black girls felt much more positive
her colleagues, who have extensively
about their body image in general,
studied the development of adolescent
suggesting that for black girls, weight is
girls. They have found that during
only a piece of the body image whole.
C'mulnued on nem page.
Melpomene Journal / Summer 1995 21
Adolescent Girls, cont.
Nichter, M., et al. Dieting and
American girls. For black girls, saying
8.
what they had work" (10). In contrast,
"watching" behaviors among
they were "about the right weight" was
white girls spent more time engaged in
adolescent females: Report of a
equated with higher BMI (black girls: 20.9;
comparing themselves to others and in
multimethod study. Forthcoming:
white girls: 18.8). Attempts to lose weight
what Nichter and Vuckovic called "fat
Journal of Adolescent Health.
were similar among black and white girls.
talk" (9). Both activities tend to have
However, black girls were more likely
negative impact on body image. As
Nichter, M., Vuckovic N. 1994. Fat
9.
than white girls to consider themselves
Parker, Nichter et al. state, "Comparing
talk: Body image among adolescent
attractive or very attractive, to always like
themselves to other girls and failing to
girls. Mirror, Mirror: Body Image and
they way they looked and to report feeling
measure up to the standards of beauty
Social Relations. N. Sault (Ed). Rutgers
competent and capable about their bodies
they self-imposed made some girls feel
University Press.
and the things they could do. Black girls
badly about themselves" (10).
Parker, S., et al. 1995. Body image and
10.
also reported comparing their appearance
These differences among black, white
weight concerns among African
to others less often than white or Native
and Native American girls strongly suggest
American and white adolescent
American girls.
a need for further research to explore the
females: Differences which make a
development of body image, including
difference. Forthcoming: Human
factors that precipitate positive body-
Organization, Fall.
Bibliography
image, within various communities.
Robinson, B., and Jaffee, L. 1989. Food
11.
preferences and weight concerns
Davies, E., and Furnham, A. 1986.
1.
among amenorrhea study partici-
Body satisfaction in adolescent girls.
Conclusion
pants. Melpmnene Journal. Vol. 8, No.
British Journal of Medical Psychology.
2, pp. 17-22.
The study found that low body image was
Vol. 59, pp. 279-287.
influenced by weight for height (BMI),
12. Salmons, P., et al. 1988. Body shape
Desmond, S. 1989. Black and white
perceived weight, worry about weight,
dissatisfaction in schoolchildren.
adolescents' perceptions of their
talking about weight and attempting to
British Journal of Psychiatny, Vol. 153,
weight. Journal of School Health. Vol.
lose weight. Comparison to others, teasing
Suppl. 2, pp. 27-31.
59, No. 8, pp. 353-358.
and wanting to be attractive to boys were
13. Thompson J., and Heinberg, L. 1993.
Gilligan, C., Lyons, N., and Hamner,
3.
associated with low body image. Girls
Preliminary test of two hypotheses of
T. 1990. Making Connections: The
with low body image reported receiving
body image disturbanCe. International
Relational Worlds of Adolescent Girls at
more negative comments and lower levels
Journal of Eating Disorders. Vol. 14,
the Emma Willard School. Harvard
of participation in organized sports teams
University Press, Cambridge, MA.
No. 1, pp. 59-63.
than girls with medium or high body image.
Jaffee, L., and Manzer, R. 1992. Girls'
Williams, M. 1993. Lifetime Fitness and
4.
14.
Those girls with high body image
perspectives: Physical activity and
Wellness: A Personal Choice. Brown &
were less preoccupied with weight than
Benchmark, Madison, WI. pp. 129-130.
self-esteem. Melpomene Journal. Vol.
girls with low body image, and fewer with
11, No. 3, pp. 14-23.
high body image worried that they
Jaffee, L., and Ricker, S. 1993. Physical
5.
weighed too much. Not talking about
Acknowledgements
activity and self-esteem in girls: The
feeling fat with friends was related to high
teen years. Melpomene Journal. Vol. 12,
For their help with this project, we thank
body image, and girls with high body
No. 3, pp. 19-28.
Alpha Alexander, YWCA of the U.S.A.,
image compared their appearance to
and participating YWCA associations;
McCartney, C., et al. 1992. Moral
others less often than girls with low body
6.
development: interviews with young
Karen Copeland, Hanna Cooper, Gloria
image. Girls with high body image
Ojibwa women. Initiatives: Journal of
reported weight issues or wanting to be
Massey, Beth Hoel, Senja Nelson, Como
Park High School, Girl Scout Troop #1154
attractive to boys as influences on their
the National Association for Women in
appearance less often than girls with low
at lHM-St. Luke's School, St. Paul Acad-
Education. Vol, 55, No. 1.
emy and Summit School.
body image.
Moore, C. 1988. Body image and
7.
Racial differences were associated
eating behavior in adolescent girls.
with body image in several areas. Black
American Journal of Diseases of Children,
girls were more likely to report high body
Vol. 142, pp. 1114-1118.
image than either white or Native
22 Melpomene Journal / Vol. 14 No. 2
1 0