The Relationship Between Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Body Mass Index in Primary School Children

Q: What was the study’s main objective?

To examine how body image relates to self-esteem and BMI in primary school children and to help identify individuals at risk early.

Q: How was data collected and BMI determined?

Researchers used sociodemographic information, the Children’s Body Image Scale (CBIS), the Children’s Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (CRSS), measured height and weight, and calculated BMI.

Q: What did the results show about BMI, body image, and self-esteem?

BMI was moderately associated with perceived body image and body dissatisfaction, while self-esteem measures showed minimal or non-significant relationships with body satisfaction status and other variables at this stage.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan

Objective: With the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, this study assessed how ideal body image shapes children’s self-perception and whether it is linked to psychological problems. It examined the relationship between body image, self-esteem, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in primary school children, supporting early identification of those at risk. Material and methods: A sample of 342 children aged 6–12 used CBIS, CRSS, anthropometric measures, BMI calculation, and statistical tests including correlation and multiple regression. Results and conclusion: BMI related moderately to perceived body image and dissatisfaction, while self-esteem showed limited association with body satisfaction status, highlighting early gender-sensitive and family-centered interventions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

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Abstract

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Introduction

84 Original Article | The relationship between body image, self-esteem, and body mass index in primary school children
Tuğba Tatar
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Science Faculty, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu,Türkiye | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Corresponding Author: Tuğba Tatar
Received : 03.07.2025, Accepted : 17.11.2025 | e-mail: [dyt.tugba@hotmail.com](dyt.tugba@hotmail.com)
[DOI:](DOI: 10.12956/TJPD.2025.1127)[ 10.12956/TJPD.2025.1127](DOI: 10.12956/TJPD.2025.1127) | | | | | | | | | | | ABSTRACT
Objective: With the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, there is a growing interest in understanding how the ideal body image influence children’s self-perception and whether this may potentially lead to various psychological problems. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between body image, self-esteem, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in primary schoolchildren, to identify individuals at risk at an early stage.
Material and Methods: The study sample consisted of 342 primary school children aged 6-12 years. The Sociodemographic Information, Children’s Body Image Scale (CBIS) and Children’s Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (CRSS) were used to gather data. Body weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman correlation, and multiple linear regression tests.
Results: BMI was moderately associated with perceived body image (r = 0.428; p < 0.001) and body dissatisfaction (r = 0.422; p < 0.001) but showed minimal correlation with self-esteem and age (CRSS: r = 0.011, p > 0.050; NSE: r = 0.002, p > 0.050; PSE: r = 0.014, p > 0.050; Age: r = 0.032, p > 0.050), while self-esteem measures did not significantly differ by body satisfaction status (CRSS: H = 0.599, p = 0.741; NSE: H = 0.293, p = 0.864; PSE: H = 0.950, p = 0.622). Regression analysis identified BMI (B = 0.094; 95% CI: 0.071–0.116; β = 0.411; p < 0.001) as the strongest predictor of body dissatisfaction, followed by age (B = 0.078; 95% CI: 0.006–0.150;β = 0.106; p = 0.035), whereas other sociodemographic and psychological variables, including gender (B = 0.199; p = 0.122) and selfesteem (NSE: B = −0.022, p = 0.368; PSE: B = 0.023, p = 0.469), did not significantly predict dissatisfaction levels.
Conclusion: BMI has a significant influence on body image perception in primary school-aged children, whereas self-esteem appears to be less affected by body satisfaction at this developmental stage. These results highlight the need for early, gendersensitive, and family-centered interventions to promote healthy body image.
Keywords: Body image, children, self esteem | | | | Introduction
Self‐views are conceptualized under the construct of self‐ perception, which emphasizes the reciprocal interaction among psychological, sociological, and physiological factors. According to Demoulin, self‐perception encompasses the emotional synthesis of all positive and negative experiencesand information that an individual accumulates throughout life and is composed of two subdimensions: self‐efficacy and self‐esteem (1) . Demoulin, defines self‐efficacy as one’s motivation, confidence in facing challenges, and sensitivity to stress, whereas self‐esteem pertains to evaluative perceptions of personally meaningful aspects of life (2) . Body image, defined as the mental representation of one’s | | physical appearance, involves an individual’s perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about their own body (3) . It consists of a perceptual component-the accuracy of body size and shape estimation-and an attitudinal componentemotional responses associated with that perception (4) . This construct develops from infancy through interactions with caregivers and becomes a central part of self-concept formation (5) . Childhood, particularly the primary school years, represents a critical stage for physical, emotional, and cognitive development (6) . During

FAQs

What was the study’s main objective?

To examine how body image relates to self-esteem and BMI in primary school children and to help identify individuals at risk early.

How was data collected and BMI determined?

Researchers used sociodemographic information, the Children’s Body Image Scale (CBIS), the Children’s Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (CRSS), measured height and weight, and calculated BMI.

What did the results show about BMI, body image, and self-esteem?

BMI was moderately associated with perceived body image and body dissatisfaction, while self-esteem measures showed minimal or non-significant relationships with body satisfaction status and other variables at this stage.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan