Body Image Perception in Female Mexican-American Adolescents

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1997

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of body image perception to self-esteem, physical activity involvement, and body composition among female Mexican-American adolescents. Subjects (N = 254) ranged in age from 13 to 15 years, mean age 14.4, and were drawn from a predominantly Mexican-American population located in the lower Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. Data were gathered through a self-report survey instrument consisting of body image, self-esteem, and activity involvement scales and anthropometric measures to assess body composition. Results indicated significant positive relationships between body image perception and self-esteem and activity involvement and a significant negative association between body image and body fat composition. Self-esteem, followed by body fat composition, exerted the strongest explanatory power of subjects, body image scores. Findings suggest that less body image distortion exists in Mexican-American adolescent females and interventions designed to promote healthy body image emphasize esteem-building and physical activity.

Comments

Copyright 1997 American School Health Association.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/Y2C7YV5CFVUWXNHRKUZE?target=10.1111/j.1746-1561.1997.tb03425.x

Publication Title

Journal of School Health

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.1997.tb03425.x

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