Insatisfação corporal em adolescentes: um estudo de base populacional

Is There an Association between Food Consumption According to the Degree of Processing and Body Image (Dis)satisfaction in Adolescents?

(1) Background: Adolescence is characterized by changes in eating habits, with increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and reduced intake of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, which can affect body image satisfaction. Thus, this study aims to verify the association of food consumption according to the degree of processing with body image (dis)satisfaction in adolescents from the 1997/1998 birth cohort of São Luís, Maranhão. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2515 adolescents aged between 18 and 19. Food consumption was stratified based on the NOVA classification in culinary preparations, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods, categorized into tertiles. Body image (dis)satisfaction was evaluated based on the Stunkard Body Scale and was classified as satisfaction, dissatisfaction with thinness, and dissatisfaction with excess weight. Multinomial logistic regression was used for associations. (3) Results: Among the adolescents, 77% considered themselves dissatisfied with their body image, with 42.8% dissatisfied with being thin and 34.2% dissatisfied with excess weight. However, food consumption, according to the degree of processing, was not associated with body image (dis)satisfaction. (4) Conclusion: This work highlighted the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction among adolescents but found no association between body (dis)satisfaction and food consumption according to the degree of processing.

[Body image is associated with anthropometric status in adolescents, but not with lifestyle]

Body image is a construct of the multifaceted representation of body identity that involves self-perception, beliefs, attitudes about the body itself, which can be influenced by several factors. This study evaluated the association of body image with anthropometric and lifestyle indicators among adolescents. The sample comprised 465 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years from public schools in the city of Salvador-Bahia. The Silhouettes Scale assessed the body image. The anthropometric data (body mass index and waist circumference), the lifestyle (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and television time), economic and demographic data were evaluated. Polytomous logistic regression assessed associations of interest by STATA, version 16.0. Overweight (OR:9,7; CI95%:5,4-17,5) and abdominal obesity (OR:14,0; CI95%: 5,0-39,3) were positively associated with body dissatisfaction. However, there was no association with lifestyle variables (physical activity: OR: 1,7, CI: 0,9-2,9, and TV time: OR:1,2; CI:0,8-1,9). The conclusion reached is that anthropometric status is an essential indicator of adverse body image outcomes in adolescents.

Insatisfação corporal e procedimentos estéticos em estudantes universitários

RESUMO A insatisfação com a imagem corporal ocorre quando o indivíduo deseja que seu corpo seja diferente da forma como o percebe. Os jovens, nesse contexto, tendem a apresentar preocupações com o corpo que podem afetar sua saúde física e psicológica. Este estudo objetivou identificar o grau de insatisfação corporal e possíveis intervenções estéticas feitas por universitários. Trata-se de um estudo observacional e transversal feito a partir de um questionário digital autoaplicável enviado por e-mail. Foram incluídos na pesquisa discentes a partir de 18 anos, regularmente matriculados na Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, campus Governador Valadares (UFJF/GV) entre janeiro e março de 2020. Participaram 299 discentes: 81,6% são do sexo feminino; 68,2% têm renda familiar de até quatro salários mínimos; 34,8% cursavam fisioterapia; 64,5% eram pessoas que desconheciam a Fisioterapia Dermatofuncional; 21,1% eram indivíduos que já haviam realizado algum procedimento estético; e 85,3% relataram vontade de realizar procedimentos estéticos principalmente relacionados à redução da gordura localizada, sendo a falta de dinheiro o principal obstáculo para a realização dos procedimentos desejados. Sobre a insatisfação corporal, avaliada através do Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8), 33,4% dos participantes apresentaram “nenhuma preocupação com a forma” e 14,8%, “acentuada preocupação com a forma”. Foi possível associar insatisfação corporal e a vontade de realizar algum procedimento estético com maior frequência entre os participantes que responderam sim em todas as classificações do BSQ-8. Apesar do baixo grau de insatisfação corporal entre a maioria dos participantes, uma parcela deles apresentou acentuada preocupação com a forma, destacando-se a necessidade de promover ações educativas para evitar impactos negativos na saúde física e mental.

[Body image among adolescents: the association between nutritional status and physical activity]

The aim of this article is to verify the association between nutritional status and physical activity with the perception of body image satisfaction in a sample of adolescents from Curitiba, State of Paraná. The sample consisted of 844 adolescents of 11 to 17 years of age. The level of physical activity was evaluated by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Body image perception was assessed by the Silhouette Shape Scale and the Body Shape Questionnaire. The association between nutritional status and level of physical activity with satisfaction with body image was performed through multinomial logistic regression to obtain the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. Overweight/obesity was positively associated with moderate and severe body image dissatisfaction (BID) among girls (OR: 6.20; 95%CI: 2.62 - 14.66 and OR: 6.20; 95%CI: 4.10 - 9.36) and boys (OR: 1.95; 95%CI: 1.06 - 3.59 e OR: 3.91; 95%CI: 2.57 - 5.95) and with the desire to decrease the silhouette for boys and girls (OR: 4.86; 95%CI: 3.37 - 7.00 and OR: 6.46; 95%CI: 4.12 - 10.14). The level of physical activity was not associated with BID. Adolescents who are overweight and obese are more likely to admit to BID. Physical activity was not related to BID.

Unhealthy weight control behaviors, disordered eating, and body image dissatisfaction in adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To identify the frequency of disordered eating (DE) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCB) among adolescents and associations with age, sex, actual weight status, perceived weight status, and body image dissatisfaction.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 1,156 adolescents. DE was assessed using a specific self-report questionnaire, UWCB by specific behaviors that were not typically recommended for weight management, and body dissatisfaction by Stunkard's silhouettes.

RESULTS

The frequency of DE was 17.3%, and that of UWCB, 31.9%; 80.1% of participants were dissatisfied with body image. Perception of oneself as overweight was associated with 1.795-fold odds of DE. Those with UWCB had 7.389-fold odds of DE, while DE increased the odds of UWCB 7.280-fold. Girls, participants who perceived themselves as overweight, and those who reported body dissatisfaction were 2.266, 2.381, and 1.752 times more likely to have UWCB, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of UWCB and a moderate prevalence of DE behaviors was found in adolescents from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Those who perceived themselves as overweight had more DE and UWCB, and both behaviors were related. UWCB was more common in girls and among those dissatisfied with their bodies.

[Excessive alcohol intake and dissatisfaction with body image among adolescents and young adults in a municipality in Bahia State, Brazil]

The study aimed to analyze the association between excessive alcohol intake and dissatisfaction with one's body image in a population of adolescents and young adults. This was a cross-sectional study with a household survey design in a sample of 1,582 individuals 15 to 24 years of age living in Camaçari, Bahia State, Brazil. Excessive alcohol intake was identified by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), and dissatisfaction with body image was measure with the Silhouette Figure Scale. Confounding variables were: sex, age, race, schooling, work, religion, family composition, number of close friends, marital status, and children. The association between excessive alcohol intake and body dissatisfaction was estimated by logistic regression. Prevalence of excessive alcohol intake was 21.9% (higher in males), and prevalence of body image dissatisfaction was 79.5% (higher in females). No statistically significant association was found between excessive alcohol intake and dissatisfaction with body image. After adjustment of the final model, the variables that remained associated with excessive alcohol intake were religion (OR = 2.02), schooling (OR = 1.63), family composition (OR = 1.61), age (OR = 0.55), and work (OR = 0.61). Although the analyses did not show an association between excessive alcohol intake and dissatisfaction with body image, the study's results call attention to the high prevalence rates for the two phenomena. This shows the need to develop interventions focused on practices of care for this specific population.

Perfil nutricional e percepção da imagem corporal em adolescentes de escolas públicas e privadas de município mineiro

Introdução: A caracterização do perfil nutricional da população de adolescentes, assim como o diagnóstico de sobrepeso e obesidade, é de suma importância para auxiliar a elaboração de medidas de controle e reversão do quadro, possibilitando melhora na qualidade de vida e a prevenção das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNTs). Objetivo: Traçar o perfil nutricional e fatores associados (gênero, tipo de escola, idade e percepção da imagem corporal) em adolescentes de município de Minas Gerais. Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal, desenvolvido com estudantes de ambos os gêneros do ensino fundamental 2, com idade entre dez a dezesseis anos, matriculados em escolas públicas e privadas. Foram coletados dados antropométricos de 576 indivíduos, incluindo peso, altura e circunferência da cintura, padronizados de acordo com as orientações do Ministério da Saúde. Também foram coletados dados referentes ao hábito alimentar e a percepção da imagem corporal dos indivíduos, através de questionários semi-estruturados e auto preenchidos. Resultados: Dos adolescentes estudados, 58,7% pertenciam à rede pública de ensino, 64,9% do gênero feminino e a mediana de idade foi de 13 anos. Em relação ao estado nutricional, 1,5% da amostra encontrava-se com a estatura inadequada para a idade, 30,93% apresentavam excesso de gordura abdominal e 34,4% excesso de peso. Em relação a imagem corporal, observou-se que os indivíduos obesos e com sobrepeso apresentaram maior insatisfação com sua imagem corporal, quando comparados ao grupo dos indivíduos eutróficos. Em relação aos hábitos alimentares, 37,1% dos adolescentes relataram nunca realizar o café da manhã, mas em relação as outras refeições (almoço e janta) a maioria relatou consumir sempre. Em relação aos alimentos ultraprocessados, 41,2% dos adolescentes relataram consumir guloseimas diariamente e 33,2%, refrigerantes ou suco em pó. Conclusão: São necessárias medidas que promovam a alimentação saudável, visando a prevenção da obesidade, sobrepeso e das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em adolescentes.

[Association between dissatisfaction with body image and health-related physical fitness among adolescents]

The scope of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and verify the association between dissatisfaction with thinness or with overweight and health-related physical fitness components among adolescents. Participants included 1058 adolescents (570 girls and 488 boys), with mean age of 16.3 (±1.0) years. The investigated variables were dissatisfaction with body image (Figure Rating Scale), and health-related physical fitness: body fat (skin folds), muscle strength (handgrip strength) and cardiorespiratory fitness (mCAFT test). The association of body image and the health-related physical fitness variables was tested by Multinomial Regression analysis. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 75.2% (girls = 79.5%; boys = 70.3%). Girls and boys with high body fat were less likely to be dissatisfied with thinness and more likely to be dissatisfied with overweight. Those who needed to improve muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were more likely to be dissatisfied with thinness and with overweight, respectively. In conclusion, physical fitness was associated with body image, with the adolescents with less healthy conditions of the components being more dissatisfied.

Are normal-weight adolescents satisfied with their weight?

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

The high prevalence of obesity has led to public policies for combating it. People with normal weight may gain greater awareness of this issue and change their perceptions of their weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of body weight dissatisfaction among normal-weight adolescents, according to demographic and socioeconomic variables, health-related behavior and morbidities.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Population-based cross-sectional study that used data from a health survey conducted in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, in 2008-2009.

METHODS

The prevalence and prevalence ratios of weight dissatisfaction were estimated according to independent variables, by means of simple and multiple Poisson regression.

RESULTS

573 normal-weight adolescents aged 10 to 19 years (mean age 14.7 years) were analyzed. The prevalence of weight dissatisfaction was 43.7% (95% confidence interval, CI: 37.8-49.8). Higher prevalences of weight dissatisfaction were observed among females, individuals aged 15 to 19 years, those whose households had eight or more domestic appliances, former smokers, individuals who reported alcohol intake and those who had one or more chronic diseases. Lower prevalence of dissatisfaction was observed among adolescents living in substandard housing. Among the normal-weight adolescents, 26.1% wished to lose weight and 17.6% wished to gain weight.

CONCLUSION

The results from this study indicate that even when weight is seen to be within the normal range, a high proportion of adolescents express dissatisfaction with their weight, especially females, older adolescents and those of higher socioeconomic level.

Factors that contribute to the body image concern of female college students

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the contribution of sociodemographic and labor variables and body mass index to body image concern.

METHODS

In order to estimate body image concern, the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Weight Concerns Scale (WCS) were applied. A confirmatory factor analysis of scales was carried out. The reason χ2 by degree of freedom ratio (χ2/df ), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Normed Fit Index (NFI), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were used. Convergent validity was assessed through the average variance extracted and composed reliability and the internal consistency through standardized Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α). A structural model was developed, and the body image concern was the second-order main construct. The model appropriation was evaluated based on the goodness-of-fit indices. The z test was used to estimate the significance of trajectories (β) using a 5% significance level.

RESULTS

Totally, 595 female college students participated in the study, with a mean age of 20.42 ± 2.44 years. The entire model, with the inclusion of all independent variables, showed unsatisfactory adjustment and was refined. The final model presented a satisfactory adjustment (χ2/df = 5.75; CFI = 0.87; NFI = 0.85; RMSEA = 0.09) with inclusion of medication use because of studies (β = 0.08; p = 0.04), academic performance (β = 0.09; p = 0.02), economic class (β = 0.08; p = 0.03), and body mass index (β = 0.44; p < 0.001). This model explained 22% of body image concern.

CONCLUSION

Medication use due to studies, academic performance, economic class and body mass index significantly contribute to body image concern.

[Psychometric evaluation of the Body Change Questionnaire for adolescents]

This study aimed to examine construct validity, internal consistency, and reproducibility of the Body Change Questionnaire (BCQ). A total of 439 female and male adolescents (13-22 years of age) were evaluated. Construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis and correlation between the scores of the BCQ and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and Scale Silhouettes (SS). Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and reproducibility using test-retest and intra-class correlation. The scale presented a six-factor structure that almost entirely accounted for the instrument's subscales. Correlations for the total sample between BCQ and scores of the other questionnaires ranged from 0.37 to 0.46. Internal consistency varied from 0.78 to 0.96 for each of the factors, and intra-class correlation was consistent with good reproducibility. The test-retest scores showed no statistically significant differences for the total sample or according to sex. The BCQ showed good psychometric qualities for Brazilian adolescents.

Fatores sociodemográficos e imagem corporal em adolescentes do ensino médio

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar associações entre a insatisfação com a imagem corporal e indicadores sociodemográficos em adolescentes. Participaram 1126 adolescentes do ensino médio do município de Santa Maria/RS. Foram analisadas questões sobre a insatisfação com a imagem corporal e indicadores sociodemográficos. As análises de associação foram realizadas por meio de regressão de Poisson bruta e ajustada por sexo e faixa etária. Rapazes estão insatisfeitos pela magreza e moças pelo excesso de peso. Os adolescentes cujo chefe de família possui menor escolaridade, de classes econômicas mais baixas e com menor renda apresentam maior probabilidade de insatisfação pela magreza. Já aqueles com o chefe de família apresentando ensino superior completo e os que residem no centro da cidade têm maior probabilidade de insatisfação pelo excesso de peso. Indicadores sociodemográficos estão associados à insatisfação com a imagem corporal. A insatisfação pela magreza é explicada pela menor escolaridade do chefe de família, pertencer às classes econômicas mais populares e ter menor renda. Já a insatisfação pelo excesso de peso, pela maior escolaridade do chefe de família e residir no centro.

Body image in Brazil: recent advances in the state of knowledge and methodological issues

OBJECTIVE

To analyze Brazilian literature on body image and the theoretical and methodological advances that have been made.

METHODS

A detailed review was undertaken of the Brazilian literature on body image, selecting published articles, dissertations and theses from the SciELO, SCOPUS, LILACS and PubMed databases and the CAPES thesis database. Google Scholar was also used. There was no start date for the search, which used the following search terms: “body image” AND “Brazil” AND “scale(s)”; “body image” AND “Brazil” AND “questionnaire(s)”; “body image” AND “Brazil” AND “instrument(s)”; “body image” limited to Brazil and “body image”.

RESULTS

The majority of measures available were intended to be used in college students, with half of them evaluating satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the body. Females and adolescents of both sexes were the most studied population. There has been a significant increase in the number of available instruments. Nevertheless, numerous published studies have used non-validated instruments, with much confusion in the use of the appropriate terms (e.g., perception, dissatisfaction, distortion).

CONCLUSIONS

Much more is needed to understand body image within the Brazilian population, especially in terms of evaluating different age groups and diversifying the components/dimensions assessed. However, interest in this theme is increasing, and important steps have been taken in a short space of time.

Body size dissatisfaction among young adults from the 1982 Pelotas birth cohort

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To identify the prevalence and factors associated with body dissatisfaction.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Birth cohort study investigating 4100 subjects (2187 men and 1913 women) aged between 22 and 23 years who answered questionnaires, including the body satisfaction Stunkard Scale were included in the study; they were weighed and measured. Multinomial logistic regression was used in the crude and adjusted analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 64% (95% CI, 62.7-65.6); 42% (95% CI, 40.6-43.6) of the subjects reported feeling larger than the desired body size, and 22% (95% CI, 20.7-23.3) reported feeling smaller than desired. Underweight subjects, subjects with less schooling, poor and sedentary male subjects with low psychological well-being and female subjects who were already mothers were more likely to express body dissatisfaction, perceiving their body as smaller than the desirable body size. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was also high among overweight subjects, subjects with a high socioeconomic status and married female subjects, who perceived their body size as too large. Minor psychiatric disorders were associated with body dissatisfaction in all subjects, regardless of perceiving themselves as larger or smaller than the desired body size. Most women perceived themselves as larger, but similar proportions of men perceived themselves as too small or too large.

CONCLUSIONS

Body dissatisfaction was observed among men and women with normal weight, but it was more evident in the obese individuals. Regardless of the nutritional status, both men and women should be appropriately counseled because body size perception can lead to unhealthy behaviors in relation to diet and physical activity.

[Body image of adolescents in rural cities]

The scope of this article is to evaluate the body image of adolescents from rural cities and its relationship with nutritional status, sex and the adolescent phase. Adolescents of both sexes participated in the cross-sectional study. Body image was evaluated through the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Figure Rating Scale (FRS) for adolescents. Weight and height were measured for the evaluation of body mass index (BMI). Stages of adolescence were classified by age. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Four hundred and forty-five adolescents (190 boys and 255 girls), with a mean age of 16.44 comprised the sample. Higher risk of body dissatisfaction was found among overweight and obese participants (BSQ: OR = 3.359 p < 0.001; ESA: OR = 1.572 p = 0.387) and the female sex (BSQ: OR = 3.694 p < 0.001; ESA: OR = 0.922, p = 0.840). Participants from the intermediary and final stages of adolescence revealed a lesser risk of dissatisfaction compared to those from the initial phase. Body dissatisfaction was related to overweight and obesity, to the female sex and to the initial period of adolescence. Intervention research is required to control the factors that influence excessive adolescent body dissatisfaction.

Estudo de validação e fidedignidade de escalas de silhuetas brasileiras em adolescentes

Objetivou-se avaliar a validade de construto e a fidedignidade das escalas de silhuetas de Kakeshita (2008) em adolescentes brasileiros. Após a condução do teste-reteste em 112 participantes com intervalo de um mês, os resultados demonstraram que as escalas foram capazes de discriminar os diferentes grupos de estado nutricional em ambos os sexos; apresentaram coeficientes de correlação entre IMC real, IMC atual e insatisfação e coeficientes de correlação intraclasse elevados, comprovando que o instrumento é apropriado para avaliar a imagem corporal nessa faixa etária.

[Silhouette scales and body satisfaction in adolescents: a systematic literature review]

The purpose of this study was to summarize studies on adolescents' body satisfaction, focusing on the use of silhouette scales. A systematic review was carried out on MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, and in unpublished papers. The final analysis included 36 studies. The majority adopted the scale proposed by Stunkard et al., self-administered, presented in ascending order and on a single sheet of paper. Most studies compared characteristics on satisfaction and dissatisfaction, used the chi-square test, and did not test for confounding. Among 18 studies included in the meta-analysis, prevalence of body dissatisfaction ranged from 32.2% to 83%. The review showed wide heterogeneity between studies (p-value = 0.000; I(2) = 87.39) even after sub-group analysis and the absence of relevant information for proper comparison of studies. The article concludes by recommending greater rigor in application of the scales and presentation of study methods on body satisfaction assessed by silhouette scales, in addition to new methodological studies and those that elucidate factors related to body satisfaction.