Body Image And Body Satısfactıon In Early Chıldhood

In this study, the relationship between body image scores perceived and desired by children in early childhood and body dissatisfaction was investigated. The relational survey method, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the study. A total of 539 children (268 boys and 271 girls) between the ages of 4 and 6 attending seven state kindergartens in Adana were included in the study. The pictogram scale for children developed by Colllins (1991) was used to determine body image. In addition, anthropometric measurements were made to calculate the body mass index of the children. Data were analyzed according to the distribution of BMI z-scores of boys and girls according to current body shape. Given that the data were not normal, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used to confirm the correlation between the BMI z-score and the current body size and degree of body dissatisfaction in both sexes. The SPSS 26 statistical package program was used in the analysis of the data. While girls want a slimmer body from their children, boys, on the contrary, want a larger body. It shows that about 34% of children have body dissatisfaction.