Body dissatisfaction in adolescent boys

Body image and depressive symptoms in Danish adolescents: A cross-sectional national study

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms are prevalent in adolescents. We aimed to investigate the association between body image and depressive symptoms, and how Body Mass Index (BMI) affects this.

METHODS

Survey data from 2017 with 9963 9th-grade Danish adolescents. Information from the survey about the exposure, body image, was divided into 3 categories: too fat, too thin, and adequate. Depressive symptoms, was measured with Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC4). BMI was categorized as underweight, normal weight and overweight. We used logistic regression and examined for effect modification by sex and BMI and adjusted for self-esteem and bullying.

RESULTS

An association was found between body image and depressive symptoms, when adjusting for BMI, sex, self-esteem, and bullying. The association was strongest for adolescents feeling too fat compared with adolescents feeling adequate OR:1.61(1.45-1.78), for adolescents feeling to thin compared to adequate: OR:1.21 (1.06-1.37). No effect modification by either BMI or sex was found, but those who perceive their bodies in contrast to their reported BMI faced the highest odds of depressive symptoms, and the results were confounded by self-esteem and bullying, that reduced the estimates after adjusting.

LIMITATIONS

This is a cross-sectional study with limited information regarding drop-out, with risk of selection bias.

CONCLUSION

We found an association between negative body image and depressive symptoms among Danish adolescents. This confirms previous studies and is a relevant aspect to adolescents' mental health, especially the contrast between BMI and perceived body image, and the confounding by self-esteem and bulling, with potential for prevention.

Body evaluation in men: the role of body weight dissatisfaction in appearance evaluation, eating, and muscle dysmorphia psychopathology

BACKGROUND

Body image dissatisfaction is a significant concern among men, influencing appearance evaluation, eating behaviors, and muscle dysmorphia psychopathology. However, research on these correlations is notably deficient in men, largely because body image concerns are unevenly distributed between genders. Therefore, this study aims to assess the various dimensions of concerns about body image in men and explore their associations with characteristics such as sexual orientation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 251 adult men from fitness centers in the Veneto Region, Italy. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R), and the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI). Body weight perception and dissatisfaction were evaluated using a Figure Rating Scale (FRS) with 12 male biometric silhouettes.

RESULTS

Participants were divided into three subgroups based on the experienced levels of body weight dissatisfaction: those who rated a smaller body (BWsmaller), those who rated a larger body (BWlarger) more highly relative to their own estimated body size, and those who reported implicit neutrality with their current weight (BWneu). BWsmaller participants reported higher levels of eating-related concern, while BWlarger participants exhibited higher levels of muscle dysmorphia. Additionally, the BWlarger group showed the highest degree of quantitative perceptual underestimation of their body weight. Sexual orientation was found to have an impact on body weight dissatisfaction, with bisexual men more likely to desire an increase in weight and gay men more likely to desire a decrease.

CONCLUSIONS

Body weight dissatisfaction significantly impacts appearance evaluation, eating behaviors, and muscle dysmorphia psychopathology in males. Tailored interventions that consider individual differences can support the well-being of men. The study provides useful insight into male body image issues, warranting further exploration to inform effective interventions and promote positive body image and mental health in this population.

Negative familial weight talk and weight bias internalization in a US sample of children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Negative familial weight talk may contribute to higher weight bias internalization in pre- and early adolescents (hereafter referred to as children) and may differ by gender, weight status, and race and ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE

Examine the relationship between negative familial weight talk and weight bias internalization and examine differences by gender, weight status, and race and ethnicity.

METHODS

We cross-sectionally analysed 5th-7th graders (10-15 years old) living in Massachusetts (n = 375, 52.3% girls, 21.3% BMI ≥85th percentile, 54.8% non-Hispanic White). Negative familial weight talk frequency during the past 3 months was self-reported and discretized as 'never,' 'occasionally' (1-9 times) and 'often' (>9 times); the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale assessed weight bias internalization. Generalized linear models estimated the relationship between negative familial weight talk and weight bias internalization and sub-analyses estimated the relationship across gender, weight status, and race and ethnicity. Results are summarized as ratios of means (RoM).

RESULTS

Children experiencing negative familial weight talk occasionally (RoM = 1.12, p = 0.024) and often (RoM = 1.48, p < 0.001) had significantly higher weight bias internalization than children who never experienced it. In sub-analyses, experiencing negative familial weight talk often was associated with higher weight bias internalization among girls (RoM = 1.66, p < 0.001), boys (RoM = 1.32, p = 0.007), children with BMI <85th percentile (RoM = 1.44, p = 0.007) and BMI ≥85th percentile (RoM = 1.39, p = 0.001), and non-Hispanic White children (RoM = 1.78, p < 0.001), but not Hispanic (RoM = 1.25, p = 0.085) or non-Hispanic Black children (RoM = 1.20; p = 0.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent negative familial weight talk was associated with higher weight bias internalization across gender and weight status and in non-Hispanic White children only.

Food insecurity and body dissatisfaction in a sample of Canadian adults

Food insecurity may predict poorer body image, which is associated with increased risk of mental health problems. However, minimal attention has been given to the food insecurity-body image link and to factors that may influence this link, such as assigned sex; importantly, females are more likely to experience both food insecurity and body dissatisfaction. The present study used data from the 2017 to 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 32,017) to investigate the effects of food insecurity and sex on body satisfaction via generalized ordered logistic regression. Results indicated: (1) Food insecurity predicted lower odds of body satisfaction, (2) Males were more likely than females to be satisfied with their bodies, and (3) Food insecurity no longer predicted body satisfaction following the inclusion of sex. Findings suggest the association between food insecurity and body satisfaction may largely be driven by the link between food insecurity and sex. Further investigation is warranted.

Nutrition education and its relationship to body image and food intake in Asian young and adolescents: a systematic review

Background

The literature brings to light the unhealthy nutritional habits prevalent among Asian adolescents and their high level of body image dissatisfaction. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the effect of nutritional education interventions on their nutritional knowledge and food intake behavior, attitude, practice, and body image.

Methods

We searched relevant published studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Springer using the PICO framework and performed a quality assessment using the 10-point checklist adapted from the National Institutes for Health tool.

Results

The majority of the nutritional education interventions improve unhealthy food intake and body image misperception, particularly on nutritional knowledge/self-efficacy, healthy dietary habits, physical activities, and fruit and vegetable intake. We also found a negative association with excess weight gain, obesity, and unethical weight reduction practices, leading to dissatisfaction with body image.

Conclusion

These interventions can help address dietary problems and body image perception and support the development of future interventions.

Peer effects and health impacts of different body cognitive biases in children: micro evidence from China

Background

In China, children commonly display body cognitive biases, which constitute a significant yet hidden public health issue. These biases potentially jeopardize children's well-being, hinder the cultivation of human capital, and impede societal progress. However, limited research employs theoretical analysis and econometric testing to investigate the formation of different body cognitive biases among Chinese children and their health impacts.

Methods

Based on a local average network model for theoretical analysis, this study utilizes a sample of 4,289 children from four phases of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) conducted from 2004 to 2011. Utilizing Logit and IV Probit models, systematically evaluate the peer effect, heterogeneity of effects, and health impacts of children's different body cognitive biases.

Results

(1) The peer effect contributes to the development of light- and heavy-body cognitive biases in Chinese children. (2) The heterogeneity analysis shows that the peer effect of body cognitive biases is more significant in rural and female children. (3) The influence of heavy-body cognitive bias is more pronounced in adolescent children. (4) The "eating-activity balance" is disrupted by the two body cognitive biases in children, leading to deviations from normal body type. (5) Specifically, the light-body cognitive bias leads children to intake more and burn fewer calories, increasing their risk of obesity. (6) Conversely, the heavy-body cognitive bias prompts children to intake less and expend more calories, resulting in a higher prevalence of thinness.

Discussion

This study innovates by exploring peer effects on body cognitive biases in Chinese children, elucidating their direction and health implications. While overweight and obesity are recognized as overt health issues, the spread and impact of implicit issues like body cognitive biases should not be overlooked. Nevertheless, the issue is largely neglected in developing countries, such as China, where existing children's health policies are inadequate in addressing it. Promoting accurate body image perception and understanding of health prevention strategies among children requires adequate attention to peer effects.

Body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem in elementary school-aged children: the role of media pressure and trust in parent-child relationships

Studies have indicated that the media plays a role in the development of body dissatisfaction in children. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding of the protective factors that may reduce this association, such as the parent-child relationship. Therefore, this study investigates children's body dissatisfaction and self-esteem and the role of media pressure and a trust in parent-child relationships herein. A sample of n = 246 participants (59.8% girls, aged 8-10) was recruited. Children completed self-report questionnaires that assessed body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, media pressure, and trust in parent-child relationships. Results revealed that higher scores on media pressure were linked to increased body dissatisfaction and decreased self-esteem. On the other hand, higher scores on trust in mother and father were associated with lower levels of body dissatisfaction and higher levels of self-esteem. However, the presence of trust in parent-child relationships did not attenuate the impact of media pressure on body dissatisfaction or self-esteem. Further investigation is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of how sociocultural and interpersonal factors interact and contribute to the development of body image problems. While current prevention and intervention programs predominantly focus on the individual, it may be beneficial to place greater emphasis on the family environment.

Health Consequences of Familial Negative Weight Talk Across the Spectrum of Gender Diversity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To synthesize differences in familial negative weight talk and health-related correlates across gender identities and to highlight gaps relevant to the unique experiences and health correlates of boys and transgender and gender diverse youth.

RECENT FINDINGS

Most of the studies included in this review observed no difference by gender in familial negative weight talk health correlates. Gender biases in existing measures, however, may have contributed to underreporting of health correlates in boys. Moreover, transgender and gender diverse youth are severely underrepresented in this research. Future research should consistently examine effect modification across gender identities and include measures that are specific to the weight-based concerns and experiences of boys and transgender and gender diverse youth.

Associations of broad eating disorder symptoms with later alcohol problems in Finnish adult twins: A nationwide 10-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Eating disorders are associated with subsequent alcohol problems, but it is not known whether this association also extends to broader eating disorder symptoms not captured by clinical diagnoses. We assessed the longitudinal association of broad eating disorder symptoms with alcohol problems in a nationwide twin sample (FinnTwin16).

METHODS

Finnish women (N = 1905) and men (N = 1449) self-reported their eating disorder symptoms using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 Bulimia, Drive for Thinness, and Body Dissatisfaction subscales at the mean age of 24.4 years in 2000-2003. A subsample of participants also completed items on drive for muscularity, height dissatisfaction, and muscle-enhancing supplement use. Alcohol problems were assessed 10 years later at the age of 34.1 in 2010-2012 with the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index.

RESULTS

Eating disorder symptoms were associated with later alcohol problems (odds ratio per point increase 1.02-1.18). Bulimia showed stronger associations among men than women (p for interaction .012). Drive for muscularity and height dissatisfaction were also associated with later alcohol problems, but supplement use was not. When accounting for baseline alcohol problems, only Bulimia (among women and men) and Drive for Thinness (among men) were significantly associated with later alcohol problems. Bulimia was also significantly associated with later alcohol problems in within-twin-pair analyses among dizygotic twins, but not among monozygotic twins.

DISCUSSION

In a longitudinal setting, eating disorder symptoms were associated with later alcohol problems. Bulimic symptoms were a stronger risk factor for men than women. These associations may be attributable to baseline alcohol problems, childhood environment and genetic liability.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

This study found that both young adult women and men with broad eating disorder symptoms are at a higher risk of alcohol-related problems than those without such symptoms. Men with bulimic symptoms were at a particularly high risk. These findings emphasize the need for better prevention and treatment of disordered eating, body image concerns and alcohol problems for both young adult women and men.

Associations Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Dimensions and Disordered Eating Symptoms in Adolescence: A Population-Based Twin Study

Although bivariate associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and eating disorders in adolescent girls and boys have been previously identified, the mechanistic link underlying the symptom-level associations remains unclear. We evaluated shared genetic and environmental influences on ADHD symptoms and disordered eating in 819 female and 756 male twins from the Swedish TCHAD cohort using bivariate models. Common additive genetic and unique environmental effects accounted for majority of ADHD and disordered eating associations in a differential manner. For girls, the strongest genetic correlation was observed for cognitive/inattention problems-bulimia (0.54), with genetic factors accounting for 67% of the phenotypic correlation. For boys, the strongest genetic correlations were observed for conduct problems-bulimia and hyperactivity-bulimia (~ 0.54), accounting for 83% and 95% of the phenotypic correlation, respectively. As per our findings, the risk of comorbidity and shared genetics highlights the need for preventative measures and specialized treatment for ADHD and disordered eating in both sexes.

Secular trends in body image dissatisfaction and associated factors among adolescents (2007-2017/2018)

OBJECTIVE

To assess secular trends in body image dissatisfaction and associated factors among adolescents over a 10-year period (2007-2017/2018).

METHODS

The sample included 1,479 (2007, n = 531; 2017/2018, n = 948) high school adolescents of both sexes, aged 14 to 18 years, of schools in a city in southern Brazil, in 2007 and 2017/2018. Data were collected on sex, age, physical activity (IPAQ, short form), anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds), and body image dissatisfaction (figure rating scale). The variables were compared with Independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The associations between sex and other variables were examined with chi-square test, and the factors associated with body image were identified with multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Most adolescents were dissatisfied with their body image in 2007 (65,2%) and 2017/2018 (71,1%). The prevalence of body dissatisfaction increased by 9.2% over the 10-year period, particularly dissatisfaction with thinness (21.3%). After stratification by sex, in 2017/2018 sample, dissatisfaction with overweight was 46.1% greater in boys, and dissatisfaction with thinness was 66.9% greater in girls. Factors found to be significantly associated with body image dissatisfaction were physical activity level, and body adiposity.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a secular trend toward increased body image dissatisfaction in both sexes. Future efforts should go beyond scientific production, in public and private environments aimed at increasing awareness of health issues related to body care in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains.

Body Image Perception in Adolescents: The Role of Sports Practice and Sex

Concerns about weight and body image are common among adolescents, as adolescence represents a time of intense and rapid change. This cross-sectional study assessed the difference in body image perception by sex, weight status and sports practice in a sample of Italians aged 13-18 years. For this purpose, we considered a sample of 140 adolescents subdivided into two groups: a group of sports-playing teenagers practicing volleyball (39 males and 26 females), and a group of teenagers not actively involved in sports (24 males and 51 females). Body mass index (BMI), body image variables, and sports practice were examined. Due to COVID-19 limitations, height and weight were self-reported and BMI was calculated as weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of height (in meters). Body image perception was assessed by the short version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-14) and by the Stunkard Body Silhouette Chart. Two-way ANCOVAs adjusted for age were performed to test the differences between sexes and sports groups. Adolescent volleyball players had a lower incidence of weight disorders. Weight status significantly differed between those who played sports and those who did not, but there was no significant difference in weight status between sexes. On the whole, sports players and males showed higher results than non-sports players and females. The highest level of body image dissatisfaction was found in non-sports-playing females, while sports-playing males showed the lowest. The present study confirms the positive link between sport and body image and can be of support to lead adolescents to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle. Further research is needed to validate our findings through a longitudinal study during the entire period of adolescence. In addition, it would be interesting to validate the results on a larger sample, also taking into account socio-demographic variables and including athletes engaged in different types of sports.

Body-Related Attitudes, Personality, and Identity in Female Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa or Other Mental Disorders

The psychological integration of body-related attitudes (BodyRA) is a critical developmental task in adolescence. Adolescents must adapt to their changing body image and body satisfaction. For young people, BodyRA (body dissatisfaction, bulimia, and drive for thinness) are connected to insecurities, which can disturb identity integration and personality development. Our goal was to evaluate the importance of BodyRA also for other mental disorders other than anorexia nervosa (AN), and the association between BodyRA with temperament and personality traits and identity diffusion. Data for the period of 2012 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed from a convenience sample of patients in a child and adolescent psychiatric hospital (n = 114). The patients were 13 to 17 years of age and had a BMI of 11.9−36.1 kg/m2. As expected, BodyRA were found to be more pronounced in AN, as well as in borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression (DD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). BodyRA correlated significantly with internalizing problems in patients with DD (r = 0.428−0.565, p < 0.01) and BPD (r = 0.680, p < 0.01) as well as with BMI (r = 0.404, p < 0.01) in patients with DD. Moreover, we detected significant correlations with impaired identity development in patients with DD (r = 0.482−0.565, p < 0.01) and BPD (r = 0.681−0.703, p < 0.01). BodyRA also correlated significantly with the personality traits of harm avoidance (r = 0.377−0.541, p < 0.01) and self-directedness (r = −0.537−−0.635, p < 0.01) in DD. These personality traits and bulimia were used as predictors for identity diffusion in the investigated disorders of this study. We conclude that BodyRA, harm avoidance and self-directedness are associated with identity development in adolescent females with mental disorders.

Familial transmission of attention allocation towards one’s own and a peer’s body: An eye-tracking study with male adolescents and their fathers

Previous research provides evidence of maternally transmitted body-related attentional biases in female adolescents. In contrast, it remains unclear whether a familial transmission of body-related attentional biases also exists within father-son dyads. Therefore, the current study examined n = 42 male adolescents and their fathers with respect to direct and indirect paternal influences on body-related attention patterns and specific body-related concerns in sons. Besides completing specific body image questionnaires, participants were shown pictures of their own and a respective peer’s body, while their eye movements were tracked. The fathers additionally viewed the body pictures of their own son and an adolescent peer. Contrary to the assumed direct and indirect paternal transmission processes, the sons’ body-related attention patterns were not significantly associated with the perceived amount of paternal body-related feedback, with the fathers’ attention patterns towards their own son’s and the adolescent peer’s body, or with the fathers’ attention patterns towards their own and the adult peer’s body. Similarly, no significant associations were found between direct or indirect paternal influences and the sons’ drives for muscularity and thinness, body dissatisfaction, and muscularity-related body-checking behavior. Comparing the present findings with previous research indicating a maternal transmission of body-related attentional biases and body-related concerns in female adolescents, alternative (not gender-linked) familial transmission processes, e.g., via one’s own mother, or a comparatively higher relevance of other sociocultural influences, e.g., via peers or the media, might be assumed for male adolescents.

Health-related quality of life in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty

INTRODUCTION

Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is the most common reason for delayed puberty in healthy male adolescents. The main indication for medical treatment for this condition is psychosocial burden. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has addressed the impact of puberty-promoting treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among boys with CDGP.

METHODS

We investigated HRQoL in 22 boys with CDGP, who participated in a randomized controlled trial in four Finnish pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinics between 2013 and 2017. The boys were randomized to receive either aromatase inhibitor letrozole (2.5mg/day; n=11) or intramuscular testosterone (1mg/kg/every 4 weeks; n=11) for 6 months and followed up to 12 months. HRQoL was assessed with a generic self-assessment 16D^© instrument developed and validated for adolescents aged 12 to 15 years. The 16D includes 16 dimensions (vitality, sight, breathing, distress, hearing, sleeping, eating, discomfort and symptoms, speech, physical appearance, school and hobbies, mobility, friends, mental function, excretion and depression). The results were compared with an age-matched reference population that included 163 boys from the Finnish capital-city area. The study protocol is registered to ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT01797718).

RESULTS

At baseline, the mean 16D score of the CDGP boys was similar to the age-matched reference population (0.95 vs 0.96, p=0.838). However, the physical appearance score (satisfaction with general appearance, height and weight) was significantly lower in the CDGP boys (0.75 vs 0.92, p=0.004) than their peers. Twelve months after treatment, Appearance had improved significantly (0.75 vs 0.87, p=0.004) and no HRQoL dimension was inferior compared to the age-matched reference population.

DISCUSSION

In terms of HRQoL, the main impact of delayed puberty was dissatisfaction with physical appearance. Puberty promoting therapy was associated with a positive change in perceived appearance, with no clear difference between low-dose testosterone and letrozole treatments.

'Dove Confident Me Indonesia: Single Session': study protocol for a randomised controlled trial to evaluate a school-based body image intervention among Indonesian adolescents

Background

Due to the prevalence and associated adverse health consequences of negative body image among adolescents globally, there is a need to develop acceptable, effective, and scalable interventions. School-based body image interventions delivered by trained teachers show promise in reducing negative body image in adolescents. However, there is currently a lack of evidenced-based body image interventions for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper outlines a protocol for the development and evaluation of Dove Confident Me Indonesia: Single Session, a single-session, teacher-led body image intervention for Indonesian adolescents.

Method

The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated using a cluster randomised controlled trial design. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial will be conducted online. Trained teachers or school guidance counsellors will deliver the intervention. Self-report questionnaires will be collected at three time points: baseline, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up. The primary outcome is body esteem. Secondary outcomes are internalisation of appearance ideals, mood, engagement in life activities, tendency to engage in appearance comparisons, and skin shade satisfaction. A minimum of 1000 participants will provide 95% power to detect small-to-medium intervention effects. To account for attrition and potential internet issues, the sample will comprise of 2000 Indonesian adolescents in grades 7–9, attending state junior high schools in Surabaya, East Java. Quantitative and qualitative data on acceptability of the intervention will also be collected from teachers and students. Additionally, fidelity of lesson implementation will be assessed. This project received ethical approval from the Universitas Indonesia and the University of the West of England. The intervention will be disseminated in junior high schools throughout Indonesia via UNICEF’s Life Skills Education (LSE) programme, which will be freely available for teachers to download.

Discussion

This paper presents Dove Confident Me Indonesia: Single Session, a culturally adapted school-based intervention designed to improve Indonesian adolescents’ body image. It details the plan for evaluation, highlighting the strengths and limitations of the proposed study design. It will be informative for others aiming to adapt evidence-based school curricula to promote well-being among adolescents in LMICs.

Trial registration

NCT04665557. Registered 11th December 2020.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11770-0.

School-Related Stressors and the Intensity of Perceived Stress Experienced by Adolescents in Poland

Higher stress reactivity during adolescence is a vulnerability marker of exposure to various environmental stressors. This study aimed to investigate the association between a high level of perceived stress experienced by adolescents and stressful stimuli induced from school environment, peer, and parental relationships. The data used were from a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in a stratified sample of 1846 adolescents (13-18 years) in the Wielkopolska province, Poland. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The association of a high level of perceived stress with school-induced exposures was determined using multivariate logistic regression after adjusting for gender, age, height and weight status and interpersonal relationships (STATISTICA 13.1). It was found that girls were over three times more likely than boys to experience a high level of perceived stress. Moreover, girls appeared to be more vulnerable than boys to school-related stressors and weight status, while boys to stressors that can arise from interpersonal relationships. School environment was the only predictor factor of high perceived stress level with a large effect size in both boys (OR = 4.45; 95% CI: 3.11-6.36) and girls (OR = 6.22; 95% CI: 4.18-7.59). Given the findings of the present study, preventive programs are critical to mitigate the effect of stress from school on adolescents' health and well-being.

Selfie Appearance Investment and Peer Feedback Concern: Multi-Method Investigation of Adolescent Selfie Practices and Adjustment

Sharing "selfies" on social media is common among adolescents. The frequency with which adolescents post selfies may be less important than behaviors and cognitions underlying selfie-posting, and these practices may differ by gender. This multi-method study explored selfie practices in a school-based sample of 639 adolescents (M age=17.6; 53.5% female). Participants completed self-report measures of selfie practices, body esteem, depressive symptoms, and peer behaviors. In addition, a subset of participants' social media pages (n = 245) were observationally-coded for numbers of selfies, followers, and likes. Factor analyses revealed two distinct selfie practices: selfie appearance investment and selfie peer feedback concern. Girls posted selfies more frequently, and reported greater levels of appearance investment and concern over peer feedback on selfies compared to boys. Multiple group structural equation models indicated that for boys and girls, selfie appearance investment was associated with depressive symptoms. For girls only, selfie peer feedback concern was associated with excessive reassurance-seeking and lower body esteem. No associations were revealed between observationally-coded measures of selfie-posting frequency and psychosocial outcomes. Overall, findings suggest that frequency of selfie-posting may be less relevant for understanding adolescent adjustment than investment in and concern over the selfie-posting experience.

Physical Activity, Physical Fitness and the Sense of Coherence-Their Role in Body Acceptance among Polish Adolescents

The aim of the study was to investigate the protective role of physical activity (PA) and other health-related bio-psycho components (physical fitness, body composition, body perception and the sense of coherence (SOC)) in body acceptance. We searched for gender differences in those relationships. We investigated 231 adolescents aged 13-16 years from an urban area in Poland. We conducted objective measurements of height, weight, fat% and relative value of minute oxygen consumption. Questionnaires for PA, SOC Body Figure Perception and body acceptance were applied. Linear regression was used for analyzing determinants of body acceptance. We found that more physically active girls reported a less slim ideal vision of their figure (p < 0.05). Physical fitness is a better predictor of body acceptance than physical activity. In the final model, the sense of coherence, body mass index (BMI), and gender (being a boy) were also predictors of body acceptance (F(6,92) = 13.084, p < 0.0001). Gender differences were discussed in the present study. Fitness enhancing physical activity should be recommended for adolescents to achieve the protective psychosocial effect especially among girls. Physical activity on a daily basis brings positive results in a more adequate and reasonable body assessment and it can play a protective role in terms of mental wellbeing. Body satisfaction varies between genders and it is a more sensitive issue among girls than boys during adolescence.

Psychosexual effects resulting from delayed, incomplete, or absent puberty

Puberty is a remarkable period of postnatal development culminating in reproductive capacity. Biological changes of puberty are accompanied by social and emotional changes including psychosexual development. Developmental changes of adolescence are influenced by numerous biological, psychological and social influences. Work to date has identified associations between disrupted puberty (i.e. delayed, incomplete or absent) and psychosexual development. This brief review summarizes our current understanding of the psychosexual effects of delayed puberty and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (Kallmann syndrome). The importance of psychosocial support and transitional care is highlighted and future directions are discussed.