Effects of an Intervention Aimed at Enhancing Elementary School Children’s Positive Body Image

Abstract

  The aims of the present study were to investigate the severity of the body image problems of children in Japan, develop a program that would promote a positive body image, and examine the effects of the program. Study 1 was a basic analysis of children's body image. Elementary school children (N=232; grades 3 to 6 at 1 school) completed a questionnaire; their body mass index (BMI) was calculated from their reports of their height and weight. Analysis of those data suggested that body image problems may emerge during childhood, that early intervention is necessary, and that this is a serious issue in Japan. For Study 2, a 3-session primary prevention program that promoted a positive body image for children was developed. Using an experimental group – control group design, the program was implemented by the second author once a week for 3 sessions, 45 minutes each time, in third to sixth grade classrooms at 1 school, with a total of 161 children (82 boys, 79 girls) participating. The children completed questionnaires before the intervention program, immediately after the third session, and 1 and 3 months after that. The results suggested that the program increased the children's positive body image, and that this increase was maintained at a 3-month follow-up.