AAP News Vol. 15 No. 5 May 1999, p. 27
© 1999 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Media education offers help on children's body image problems

Marjorie Hogan M.D., FAAP

As pediatricians see increasing numbers of children and teens with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and obesity, we must be gravely concerned about the influence of the media on youth perception of ideal body shape and size.

A new study in the March issue of Pediatrics reinforces what we already fear: young girls are suffering from negative body image and are engaging in unhealthy behaviors as a result.

In the study, Exposure to the Mass Media and Weight Concerns Among Girls, the authors use a cross-sectional survey of 548 girls in 5th grade through 12th grade to assess influence of the media on weight concerns, weight control behaviors and perceptions of body weight and shape.