The case in summary A study from NTNU and St. Olav’s hospital shows that one in four third-graders would like a different body. The research shows that body dissatisfaction can occur in early primary school age. 14 percent of the children wanted a smaller size than they had, while 9 percent wanted a larger size. No difference was found between what girls and boys said about their body image, and there was no connection between body dissatisfaction and actual body size. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. What thoughts go through your head when you look at yourself in the mirror at night? Maybe you want a slightly smaller stomach, or slightly bigger muscles. Even children can feel that feeling, shows unique research from NTNU and St. Olav’s hospital. – It is something that does not only affect young people, but can occur in early primary school, says researcher Tove Langlo Drilen. Big, small or somewhere in between No one in Norway has investigated what such young children think about their own body image. When Drilen went into this, she was very conscious of what questions she could ask. – We should not give children any thoughts that there is something wrong with their bodies. Researcher Tove Drilen has studied body dissatisfaction in over 200 children in Trøndelag. Photo: Sverre Lilleeng / news The researchers brought a small selection of games to schools in the Trondheim area. While the students had Health Day, a day about health, Drilen and the others set about. After the children had been to the health nurse and been measured and weighed, they were taken aside in another room. First, they were asked what they thought about going on the scale. Drilen and the other researchers then showed pictures of different body sizes, from underweight to obese. First, the children had to choose which figure was most similar to them. The children could choose between nine different body sizes. Photo: Sverre Lilleeng / news Then they were given a stuffed animal with a magic wand to help them with a thought experiment. If they could choose, which body would they choose? – Then we found out that 14 per cent of the children wished to have a smaller size than they had. 9 percent wanted a larger size. Can it be changed? Drilen is a little concerned about the results of the study, and believes this should be investigated further. – It says that body dissatisfaction starts early. We asked third-graders, eight-nine-year-olds. Action must be taken both in kindergarten and primary school. You don’t have to wait until secondary school. At the same time, she says that there is great variation in the answers, and that most are not dissatisfied. Tove Langlo Drilen hopes she can follow up the children who took part in this study when they are to be weighed and measured in the eighth grade. Photo: Sverre Lilleeng / news – Many actually emphasized that when we asked: “No, I don’t want to be someone else, I’m happy with myself the way I am”. I also think it was a very important discovery that children, of all body sizes, could be satisfied with their bodies. She found no difference between what girls and boys said about their body image. Nor did how big their bodies actually matter. Unrealistic Mari Mauseth Log is a public health nurse in Malvik municipality. She meets many children in her office at Hommelvik School. She says there are only a few who are truly dissatisfied with their bodies. – Whether they want to or not, many people have watched a lot on YouTube, or they get a lot from other TV programmes. And they get an unrealistic picture of what a normal body is. Mari Mauseth Log can get questions from children who want to know whether their bodies are normal or not. Photo: Sverre Lilleeng / news She believes parents can make a difference. – Families should be aware of the way they talk to each other. Åssen adults refer to their own bodies or the food they eat can have a lot to say. – Small statements that no, I’m not going to eat today, because I ate so much yesterday, can mean a lot to an insecure child. Conversation starter Ingeborg Senneset, is a trained nurse, author and influencer. She herself has struggled with her body, food and self-image both as a child and as an adult. – Children think badly of their bodies, and talk down their own bodies. It is something that has been around for a long time. Perhaps this could be the start of a proper conversation about it? Senneset says that if children say negative things about how they look, you can use it to talk about why they feel that way. – What are the thoughts you have about it? Where does it come from? Ingeborg Senneset started having negative thoughts about her own body as early as primary school. Photo: Javier Ernesto Auris Chavez / news Bikini and chain smoking Thea Klingenberg, who makes the podcast The Parents’ Council agrees. – None of us really know exactly how we should relate to food and our bodies. When we adults are as confused as we are, it’s no wonder that the kids get confused too. Both agree with public health nurse Mari Mauseth Log that what adults say is important. – There are many mothers who say that they think it is silly to wear a bikini in the summer, but they do not want the child to feel that she cannot wear a bikini. It’s like sitting and chain smoking and at the same time saying that you shouldn’t start smoking. It works very poorly, says Klingenberg. She has some concrete suggestions: Have a rule at home not to talk about your appearance, especially not in a negative way. Make joint rules for the football team about not commenting on your body, either your own or someone else’s, in the dressing room. Emphasize the use of the body. Hear more about the problem in Ukeslutt: Published 20.06.2024, at 16.37
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Every fourth third-grader wants a different body – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
