Perceived Body Image, Eating Behavior, and Sedentary Activities and Body Mass Index Categories in Kuwaiti Female Adolescents

Body image and dietary habits in adolescents: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage in which increasing concerns about body image (BI) coincide with the consolidation of dietary habits (DHs). Multiple studies have sought robust associations between BI and DHs to prevent unhealthy behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available literature on the association between BI perception (BIP) and/or satisfaction (BIS) and DHs in adolescents.

DATA SOURCES

A search was carried out of 5 electronic databases (PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane, Embase, and PsycInfo) using a combination of keywords (and synonyms) related to adolescence, BI, and diet.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data screening, extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 investigators using the PRISMA and AXIS guidelines.

DATA ANALYSIS

Of 2496 articles screened, 30 articles, published in English or Spanish, that evaluated the relationship between BI and DHs in adolescents aged between 10 years and 18 years, were included. A relationship between accurate BI perception in adolescents and healthy DHs was reported in 5 articles (16.2%). A relationship between overestimation of body weight in adolescents and healthy DHs was reported in 4 articles (13.3%). A relationship between underestimation of body weight and unhealthy DHs was reported in 8 articles (26.7%). In addition, 4 articles (13.3%) reported a relationship between BIS and healthy DHs. The desire to gain weight was associated with unhealthy DHs in 3 (10%) of the articles, while the desire to lose weight was related to healthy DHs in 3 (10%) of the articles and to unhealthy DHs in 3 (10%) other articles. There were also gender differences in the relationship between BIP or BIS and DHs.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents who underestimate their body weight tend to report less healthy DHs than body weight overestimators. Adolescents unsatisfied with their BI and with a drive for thinness frequently engage in DHs linked to losing weight.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020184625.

Body Image Misperceptions Among Tunisian Adolescents

Background Obesity is a globally recognized health concern with profound consequences for individual health, especially among adolescents. Tunisia, like many countries, is experiencing alarming rates of adolescent obesity. Understanding adolescents' perceptions of their weight status and the factors influencing these perceptions is pivotal for developing targeted interventions and policies to counteract the rising obesity trends. Objective To determine the accuracy of weight status perceptions among Tunisian adolescents compared to objective metrics and to identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with the inaccurate estimation of weight status. Methods A cross-sectional, school-based study was conducted among adolescents attending secondary schools in Sousse, Tunisia, during the 2017-2018 academic year. A total of 1399 students participated, with anthropometric measurements taken, and a pre-tested Arabic questionnaire administered to gather sociodemographic data and perceived weight status, assessed using the Figure Rating Scale (FRS). The accuracy of perceived weight status was determined by comparing the measured weight status with participants' self-reported perceptions. Results The study achieved an 86.68% response rate, with over half of the participants being female (60.5%), and the average age being 17 years. The majority of adolescents (41%) perceived themselves as having normal body weight, while 34.5% perceived themselves as underweight, 16.6% as overweight, and 7.9% as obese. However, based on BMI categories, 72.6% had a normal measured weight, 20.4% were overweight, and 6.9% were obese. A substantial proportion of participants (45.6%) underestimated their weight status, with a significant proportion being objectively overweight or obese (26%). Furthermore, we found a significant association between the perception of weight accuracy and both gender (p = 0.010) and the mother's educational level (p = 0.035). Conclusions The findings revealed a disparity between perceived and actual weight status among Tunisian adolescents, with a significant underestimation of weight status, particularly among those who are overweight or obese. The results highlighted the crucial need for interventions that address weight perception inaccuracies and promote healthy weight awareness and management among adolescents in Tunisia.

Sociodemographic Characteristics, Dietary Intake, and Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Saudi Adolescent Girls

This study assesses sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake and body image dissatisfaction (BID) among Saudi adolescent girls. A total of 399 girls ages 13-14 were randomly selected from intermediate schools in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Data on anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake and body image (BI) were collected. Multiple linear regression was used to predict the association between variables. Most adolescents had a normal weight based on their body mass index (BMI), normal waist circumference (WC), and normal waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Fried chicken and Kabsa rice were the most frequently consumed foods; most girls consumed excessive fat. Most girls had BID (81.5%), and 51.4% desired to lose weight. BMI was positively correlated with age and current BI (p<0.001) and negatively associated with dairy product intake (p=0.004) and desired BI (p<0.001). WC had a positive association with age (p=0.001) and current BI (p<0.001) and a negative association with dairy product intake, cereal and grain intake (p=0.001) and ideal BI (p<0.001). WHtR was positively associated with current BI (p<0.001) and negatively associated with cereal and grain intake (p=0.005), dairy product intake and desired BI (p<0.001). Although most participants had a normal weight, they consumed excessive fat and were dissatisfied with their BI, which are significant predictors of obesity. Saudi adolescent girls require nutritional interventions to help them transition to a healthy diet, positive BI and healthy lifestyle.

Physical Activity and Body Image Perception in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Adolescence represents a vulnerable phase of life for psychological health. The practice of physical activity (PA) appears to have a positive influence on adolescents, increasing self-esteem and producing a more positive body image. A systematic review of published articles over the past 10 years until June 2022 was conducted according to the PRISMA statement employing the electronic databases MEDLINE and Web of Science (639 records) to summarize the literature on the relationship between body image dissatisfaction (BID) and assessed by figural scales and practice of structured and unstructured PA in adolescents (10-18 years), taking into account BMI and/or weight status. All articles were independently reviewed using inclusion/exclusion criteria, retrieved data, and assessed quality with the adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The main finding of interest that emerged from most of the 28 included studies is the negative association between BID and PA during adolescence: as PA increases, BID decreases. However, this updated systematic review also identified some flaws in the existing literature, highlighting the need for high-quality adolescent research using validated figural scales and objective PA assessments. In conclusion, the reviewed studies showed that PA involvement can be efficacious in protecting from body image perception concerns and enhancing body satisfaction. Future interventions should promote structured and unstructured PA during adolescence to improve self-esteem and body image.

Factorial Model of Obese Adolescents: The Role of Body Image Concerns and Selective Depersonalization-A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

The relationship binding body weight to psychological well-being is unclear. The present study aims at identifying the contribution, and specificity, of some dimensions (i.e., eating-related symptoms, body image disorders, eating habits, personality traits, and emotional difficulties) characterizing the psychological profile of obese adolescents (749 participants, 325 females; 58.3% normal-weight, 29.9% overweight, and 11.7% obese; mean age = 16.05, SD = 0.82).

METHODS

By introducing the scores obtained by standardized self-report tools into a generalized linear model, a factorial reduction design was used to detect the best fitting discriminant functions and the principal components explaining the higher proportion of the variance.

RESULTS

We found two discriminant functions correctly classifying 87.1% of normal-weight, 57.2% of overweight, and 68.2% of obese adolescents. Furthermore, two independent factors, explaining 69.68% of the total variance, emerged.

CONCLUSIONS

The first factor, "Body Image Concerns", included the drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and interpersonal distrust. The second factor, "Selective Depersonalization", included a trend toward depersonalization and dissatisfaction with the torso. The neurophysiological implications of our findings will be discussed.

Nutritional status and body image perception in a group of moroccan adolescents

BACKGROUND: Adolescent obesity has become a pressing public health issue in Morocco. Along with the increased prevalence of obesity, body weight misperceptions have also increased among adolescents, which may reduce the effectiveness of intervention programs. The main study objective was to establish the relationship between body image perception, anthropometric status and their associated factors among a sample of Moroccan adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional school-based survey was conducted during 2018, involving 250 adolescents from Morocco. Data on sociodemographic information, anthropometric characteristics, and weight perception were collected and reported as the means and proportions. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19.0 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in our study reached 12.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Misperception of body weight compared to body mass index (BMI) was found in 50.4% of young adolescents (χ2 = 54.05; p <  0.001), and dissatisfaction computed by the Feel minus Ideal Discrepancy (FID) index reached 46% with no difference between the sexes (χ2 = 2.55; p >  0.05). The Feel weight status minus Actual weight status Inconsistency (FAI) index was used to determine whether the subjects’ perception of their weight was realistic. The results showed that both sexes tended to underestimate their weight. Only 68.2% of overweight/obese participants reported trying to lose weight (χ2 = 39.74; p <  0.001), while this number increased to 94.7% when the intention to lose weight was related to perceived body image (χ2 = 86.09; p <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study reveal that a mismatch exists between the perception of body weight and actual BMI in adolescents, with a tendency toward underestimation, affirming the early effect of social norms and the vulnerability to sociocultural influences of individuals in this age category. Future interventions and educational programs are thus required to prevent overweight and obesity and to address the mismatch between adolescents’ weight status and their perceived weight.

Higher general executive functions predicts lower body mass index by mitigating avoidance behaviors

BACKGROUND

The present study examines the relationship between obesity, executive functions, and body image in a nonclinical population from southern Italy.

METHODS

General executive functioning (Frontal Assessment Battery-15), and body image disturbances (Body Uneasiness Test) were assessed in a sample including 255 participants (138 females, M age = 43.51 years, SD = 17.94, range = 18-86 years; M body mass index (BMI) = 26.21, SD = 4.32, range = 18.03-38.79).

FINDINGS

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis indicated that age, years of education, FAB15 score, body image concerns, and avoidance predicted the variance of BMI. A subsequent mediation analysis highlighted that the indirect effect of FAB15 on BMI through avoidance was statistically significant.

INTERPRETATION

Our results suggest that more performing executive functioning predicts a decrease in BMI that is partially due to the mitigation of avoidance behaviors.

Association of body image dissatisfaction with body mass index trajectory: the Adolescent Nutritional Assessment Longitudinal Study cohort

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the association of body image dissatisfaction (BID) with body mass index (BMI) trajectory among students from a metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. Methods Data were analyzed for 809 middle school students followed from 2010 to 2013, and 1131 high school students followed from 2010 to 2012. BID was assessed using a body silhouettes scale. Type of school (public and private) was used as a proxy of socioeconomic status. Results In the middle school cohort, girls from private schools who wanted to have smaller and bigger silhouettes gained fewer BMI units than those who were satisfied with their body image ( p < 0.05). In the high school, girls from private schools who wished to have bigger and smaller silhouettes experienced greater BMI increase than girls who were satisfied with their body image ( p < 0.05). Also, in the high school cohort, boys from public schools who wished to have smaller and bigger silhouettes experienced smaller BMI increase than boys who were satisfied ( p < 0.05). Conclusion BID may be related to the BMI trajectory in girls from private schools and in boys from public schools.

What are the correlates of body image distortion and dissatisfaction among school-adolescents?

BACKGROUND

Body image is considered as central to many aspects of human functioning including emotions, thoughts, behaviors and relationships. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of body image distortion and dissatisfaction among adolescents and to assess their main determinants.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional school-based study conducted among school-adolescents in the south of Tunisia, between October 2017 and February 2018.

RESULTS

Among 1210 school-adolescents, body image distortion and dissatisfaction prevalence were 44.8% and 42.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that being in the 16-18 years age group [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.28, p = 0.046], low family financial situation (AOR = 1.88, p = 0.014), as well as high frequency of eating pasta (AOR = 1.3, p = 0.04) and fast-food consumption (AOR = 1.7, p = 0.042) were independently associated with under-estimated body image. Skipping breakfast (AOR = 1.9, p = 0.017) and having one obese parent (AOR = 1.9, p = 0.01) were independently associated with higher frequency of over-estimated body image. Regarding body image dissatisfaction, independent factors associated with desire to lose weight were: female gender (AOR = 1.53, p = 0.007), high income family financial situation (AOR = 2.1, p = 0.008) and having one parent who is obese (AOR = 2.21, p < 0.001). However, frequent fast-food consumption (AOR = 1.9, p = 0.038) and eating between meals (AOR = 1.57, p = 0.01) were independently associated with a higher desire to gain weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlighted that the prevalence of body image distortion and dissatisfaction were substantially high among adolescents. Their determinants included socio-demographic factors and lifestyle behaviors. Increased awareness among parents, educators and public health planners may help adolescents improve accuracy of body image attitudes.

Are Adolescent Body Image Concerns Associated with Health-Compromising Physical Activity Behaviours?

The present study aimed to assess the-prevalence of health-compromising eating and physical activity behaviours, and to test their associations with physical activity, internalisation of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, and body image in a sample of adolescents of both genders. A total sample of 736 adolescents (437 or 59.4% were girls) participated in the study. The participants ranged in age from 16 to 19 years (x = 17.2, SD = 0.6). The sample completed a questionnaire measuring body mass index, the risk of eating disorders, body image, internalisation of sociocultural ideals of appearance, health-compromising eating behaviours (HCEB), and health-compromising weight control related to physical activity behaviours (HCPAB). Logistic regressions were used to assess the associations between the study variables and predictors of HCEB and HCPAB. The results of the study showed a relatively high prevalence of HCEB with a significantly higher prevalence in girls and participants with a higher BMI. The study also demonstrated that the prevalence of adolescent HCPAB was higher than HCEB. The internalisation of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance and body image concerns were higher in the HCEB and HCPAB groups. Female gender (OR = 1.88; 95% PI = 1.10⁻3.18), HCPAB (OR = 1.19; 95% PI = 1.10⁻1.28), a preoccupation with being overweight (OR = 3.43; 95% PI = 2.52⁻4.66), and body weight evaluation as too high (OR = 2.40; 95% PI = 1.57⁻3.68) were significant predictors of HCEB. More frequent physical activity (OR = 3.02; 95% PI = 1.76⁻5.17), HCEB (OR = 1.22; 95% PI = 1.11⁻1.32), and perceived pressures to conform to popular beauty ideals (OR = 1.51; 95% PI = 1.12⁻2.03) predicted higher HCPAB. HCPAB is an important variable associated with adolescents' body image, physical activity, and weight control. The results of the present study are important for health promotion and education programs addressing adolescents' healthy lifestyle, weight control, and body image concerns.