Kids as young as 7 are developing unhealthy perceptions about weight, which researchers warn could eventually lead to eating disorders.
Kids as young as 7 are developing unhealthy ideas about weight and body image, a new study suggests.
Researchers warn their misconceptions could eventually lead to eating disorders.
The lead author says it’s not just adults who need to be wary of the narrow body representation they see in the media.
She says, “Now we know that’s true for children, too. Even very neutral images can adjust their ideas about what is heavy or thin if they see enough of the same kind of body.”
For the study, children 7-15 years old, as well as adults, were shown photographs of people of varying sizes and asked to rate how “heavy” or “light” they were.
Participants of all ages significantly changed their perceptions of weight after being shown images of people who were clinically overweight or obese.
Specifically, photos of heavier people caused a shift in what constituted a “light” body type.
The researchers say these findings indicate that people’s perceptions of body weight start evolving from as young as age 7.
The team is now developing play-based techniques to investigate children’s understandings of body ideals from a younger age.
Source: Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
Author Affiliations: Durham University
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