The role of media exposure, peers, and family on body dissatisfaction amongst boys and girls in Singapore

Abstract

This study aims to examine how influences of media, peers, and family on body dissatisfaction differ between boys and girls in Singapore through a survey to 277 students aged 10 to 13. The hierarchical regression analyses reveal that two media exposure variables, watching television/VCDs/DVDs/music videos and engagement with online social media, were significantly related to girls’ body dissatisfaction. None of the traditional or new media exposure variables influenced boys’ body dissatisfaction. Instead, boys’ body dissatisfaction was found to be influenced by family member’s criticism of weight. Peers’ perception of weight influenced body dissatisfaction in both gender, although the effect was stronger among girls. Our findings revealed gender differences in the antecedents of body dissatisfaction among children in Singapore, specifically exposure to television/VCDs/DVDs/music videos, family’s criticisms of weight, and peers’ perception of weight. Educators and health authorities should take these differences into account when designing media and school health education programs.