Assessment of Body Image in Children and Adolescents

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2009

Keywords

self-report measures, body image measures, body image disturbances, methodological issues, assessment

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1037/11860-009

Abstract

A wide variety of body image measures are available for the assessment of many facets of the construct. In the early part of the 21st century many new measurement instruments are being developed specifically for younger individuals. The primary advances in body image assessment in recent years have been in the development of scales focused on body image concerns related to muscularity, translations of existing measures for use in cross-cultural research, and development of software programs. This chapter reviews many of the commonly used and newer measures of body image for children and adolescents. We focus on self-report measures generally designed to index the subjective and/or attitudinal components of body image, but also briefly examine behavioral and perceptual assessment strategies. A list and description of these and other measures is provided along with reliability information if such data were available. We conclude with an examination of methodological issues and particular assessment issues related to clinical management of body image disturbances.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Assessment of Body Image in Children and Adolescents, in L. Smolak & J. K. Thompson (Eds.), Body Image, Eating Disorders, and Obesity in Youth: Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment (2nd Ed.), American Psychological Association, p. 177-192

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