Pubertal timing, body dissatisfaction and self-image: a prospective cohort study
Objective Early pubertal timing has been linked to heightened body dissatisfaction, but previous studies have focused on girls, with small sample sizes and lacking objective measures of pubertal timing. The objective of this study was to examine the association between pubertal timing (age at peak h...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMJ Publishing Group
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/8/e092212.full |
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| Summary: | Objective Early pubertal timing has been linked to heightened body dissatisfaction, but previous studies have focused on girls, with small sample sizes and lacking objective measures of pubertal timing. The objective of this study was to examine the association between pubertal timing (age at peak height velocity [aPHV] and age at menarche [AAM] for girls) and body dissatisfaction and self-image in mid-adolescence (age 14).Design and setting Prospective cohort study in the UK.Participants 6644 participants (41% male) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.Outcome measures Outcomes were measured using the Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction with Body Parts Scale and Self-Image Profile at age 14. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for socioeconomic status and prepubertal body mass index (BMI).Results In boys, later aPHV was associated with higher body dissatisfaction (b=0.13 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.18)). In girls, later aPHV was associated with lower body dissatisfaction, but this was attenuated after adjusting for BMI (b=−0.03 (95% CI −0.07 to 0.01)). A negative association was found between AAM and body dissatisfaction (b=−0.06 (95% CI −0.09 to –0.02)). Later aPHV in girls was associated with increased odds of feeling good-looking (OR=1.09 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.19)) and lower odds of feeling different from others (OR=0.91 (95% CI 0.83 to 1.00)). No associations between aPHV and self-image were found in boys.Conclusions These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions for adolescent body dissatisfaction. |
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| ISSN: | 2044-6055 |