RESUMO
This study evaluated the relationship between race/ethnicity and body shape concerns among adults in the U.S. and evaluated if this relationship varied by Body Mass Index (BMI) and gender. Data were collected from U.S. adults (Nâ¯=â¯2,212) using a national online survey panel designed to approximate the US census data. Gender, age, race/ethnicity, BMI and body shape concerns (Body Shape Questionnaire) were assessed. Analysis of variance was utilized to evaluate the race/ethnicity and BSQ association and if the relationship varied by gender and BMI category. The sample (65 % White, 13 % Black/African American, 16 % Latino/Hispanic/Mexican American and 6 % Asian/Pacific Islander) was 50 % female; mean age of 44.2 years (SDâ¯=â¯16.8); BMI of 27.4 (SDâ¯=â¯6.7). A gender by BMI category interaction (pâ¯<â¯.01) revealed no difference in BSQ scores by gender when BMIâ¯<â¯18, but higher BSQ scores among women for all other BMI groups. A main effect of race/ethnicity revealed BSQ scores were equally high across racial/ethnic groups, except individuals who identified as White (Mâ¯=â¯42.0, SDâ¯=â¯19.7) reported higher BSQ than those identified as Asian/Pacific Islander (Mâ¯=â¯37.4, SDâ¯=â¯17.4). Body shape concerns are common among US adults. Individuals of racial/ethnic minority status may experience similar gender- and BMI-related differences in body shape concerns as White individuals.