A Father's Influence of His Daughter's Perception of Her Body Image and Dieting Practices
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Date
2007-10
Authors
Andrews, Denika
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Abstract
Body image and diet have been an area of concern in young females for a number
Body image and diet have been an area of concern in young females for a number
of years. In 2000, it was reported that 50% of adolescent girls had dieted and that an even
higher percentage wished that they were thinner 1. Body image, as defined by Stokes et al., is the concept of one's
body that is formed as one begins to observe and compare the self to others. Based on an increase in media awareness and other societal pressures to be
thin, it can be speculated that in the future an even higher percentage of adolescent
females will have dieted. In today's society there is a constant pressure to achieve the
cultural ideal of a thin, pre-pubertal type body. Society portrays this ideal in television
shows, music videos and magazines. Unfortunately, young girls are striving to attain this
ideal body and will often go to extreme measures.Family relationships are one of the main influences on an adolescent girl's
development of self-image including body image perception and dieting habits. The
family is the primary agency for socialization7,8. Parents provide information to their
children as well as act as role models. The literature reports the results of investigations
on both maternal and paternal influences on a daughter's body image and diet; however,
there is more emphasis on the same-sex parent-child relationship. Ample research has
been conducted regarding a mother's influence on her daughter's body image and diet,
while the strength of a father-son relationship has also been studied in detail. It is
important to determine if a daughter feels that her father is influential in her self-image
development as he is the primary male role model in her life and adolescence is when a
daughter needs her father's parenting the most.
The purpose of this study was to determine how adolescent females feel about
their bodies, and what factors influence their body image development. This study
assessed the father-daughter relationship and determined if its influence, if any, on the
development of body image and safe diet habits in young adolescent females.With ethics approval, ten adolescent females were recruited from Exploits Valley
High School via purposive sampling. The researcher gave a brief presentation to random classes, with participants volunteering at their leisure. Once ten participants had
volunteered, and parental consent was obtained, the study began. Each female participated in an in-depth semi-structured interview which allowed participants to share
their experiences in an unbiased setting.Thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews organized the data into five major
themes: body image, dieting practices, relationships, influences and pressures andc ommunication. These themes were further broken down into a variety of sub-themes.
The data indicated that overall these young females have a positive sense of self with
minor episodes of body dissatisfaction. Participants identified three major influences on
their body image and diet: peers, parents and the media. This study also indicated that the
majority of participants felt a closer relationship with their father, than with their mother.
The felt a sense of closeness, playfulness and trustworthiness all which lead to their
father's having a positive impact on their lives in various ways.
This research provides a good initial understanding of the father-daughter
relationship and its effect on the daughter's development of body image and dieting
habits. Although this was a small study, results provide solid information which can help
guide Dietitians in their counseling of young females on weight related issues, such as
weight management and eating disorders. It is essential to include both parents in dietetic
counseling with regards to weight management, healthy eating and eating disorders, as it
was determined that both the mother, and the father, have an impact on the overall eating
habits and nutrition knowledge of these young females.
of years. In 2000, it was reported that 50% of adolescent girls had dieted and that an even
higher percentage wished that they were thinner 1. Body image, as defined by Stokes et
al.2, is the concept of oneâ s body that is formed as one begins to observe and compare the
self to others. Based on an increase in media awareness and other societal pressures to be
thin, it can be speculated that in the future an even higher percentage of adolescent
females will have dieted. In todayâ s society there is a constant pressure to achieve the
cultural ideal of a thin, pre-pubertal type body. Society portrays this ideal in television
shows, music videos and magazines. Unfortunately, young girls are striving to attain this
ideal body and will often go to extreme measures2,3.
Family relationships are one of the main influences on an adolescent girlâ s
development of self-image including body image perception and dieting habits4,5,6. The
family is the primary agency for socialization7,8. Parents provide information to their
children as well as act as role models. The literature reports the results of investigations
on both maternal and paternal influences on a daughterâ s body image and diet; however,
there is more emphasis on the same-sex parent-child relationship. Ample research has
been conducted regarding a motherâ s influence on her daughterâ s body image and diet,
while the strength of a father-son relationship has also been studied in detail. It is
important to determine if a daughter feels that her father is influential in her self-image
development as he is the primary male role model in her life and adolescence is when a
daughter needs her fatherâ s parenting the most
The purpose of this study was to determine how adolescent females feel about
their bodies, and what factors influence their body image development. This study
assessed the father-daughter relationship and determined if its influence, if any, on the
development of body image and safe diet habits in young adolescent females.
With ethics approval, ten adolescent females were recruited from Exploits Valley
High School via purposive sampling. The researcher gave a brief presentation to random
classes, with participants volunteering at their leisure. Once ten participants had
volunteered, and parental consent was obtained, the study began. Each female
participated in an in-depth semi-structured interview which allowed participants to share
their experiences in an unbiased setting.
Thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews organized the data into five major
themes: body image, dieting practices, relationships, influences and pressures and
communication. These themes were further broken down into a variety of sub-themes.
The data indicated that overall these young females have a positive sense of self with
minor episodes of body dissatisfaction. Participants identified three major influences on
their body image and diet: peers, parents and the media. This study also indicated that the
majority of participants felt a closer relationship with their father, than with their mother.
The felt a sense of closeness, playfulness and trustworthiness all which lead to their
fatherâ s having a positive impact on their lives in various ways.
This research provides a good initial understanding of the father-daughter
relationship and its effect on the daughterâ s development of body image and dieting
habits. Although this was a small study, results provide solid information which can help
guide Dietitians in their counseling of young females on weight related issues, such as
weight management and eating disorders. It is essential to include both parents in dietetic
counseling with regards to weight management, healthy eating and eating disorders, as it
was determined that both the mother, and the father, have an impact on the overall eating
habits and nutrition knowledge of these young females.
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Keywords
Newfoundland and Labrador -- Exploits Valley , Newfoundland and Labrador , Nutrition , Psychological aspects , Psychology , Family relationships , Attitudes , Teenage girls , Nutrition , Body image , Adolescence