Psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 for Children (BAS-2C)

•The one-factor model of the Japanese BAS-2C showed acceptable to good fit.•The BAS-2C showed good internal consistency.•The BAS-2C also demonstrated good test-retest reliability over a four-week period.•The BAS-2C has acceptable construct validity.•The BAS-2C has good psychometric properties in examining Japanese children. Despite the heightened interest in positive body image research in recent years, few studies have explored positive body image among children. Examining the Body Appreciation Scale-2 for Children (BAS-2C) using a different cultural sample than the original version would thus be beneficial in extending the research on this topic. This research aimed to validate the BAS-2C for use in Japan. The measures were administered to 243 children, and the participants completed the survey in their classrooms with the support of a teacher. The survey was repeated after four weeks. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the one-factor structure was the same as that of the original version, and the BAS-2C was invariant across gender. Scores on the BAS-2C demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability over a four-week period. In addition, construct validity was accrued through the BAS-2C’s correlation with body dissatisfaction (among girls), self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Results indicated that the BAS-2C shows good psychometric properties among Japanese children, and supports further research into positive body image in this group.