Children's Body Image Accuracy and Visual Spatial Abilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate children’s body image inaccuracy as it relates to visual spatial abilities, BMI, gender, and age. This study was conducted at a local after-school program with children ages 6 to 13. Children rotated through assessment stations that included measures of height and weight, body figures, visuospatial tasks, and demographics. The findings indicate that BMI can significantly predict children’s body image overestimations. Also, visual body image accuracy is significantly correlated with visuospatial abilities but verbal body image accuracy was not related to visuospatial skills. Lastly, the higher the child’s BMI, the less developed his/her visuospatial skills are. It is essential to continue studying children’s perception of their body image and how it relates to their body size to help prevent eating disorders and obesity.