Body image perception and social support as predictors of psychological distress among third trimester pregnant women in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Body image perception and social support during pregnancy can impact the psychological distress levels experienced by pregnant women. As a result, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between various components of social support and body image perception on psychological distress levels among pregnant women in their third trimester in Nigeria.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 pregnant women who were in the third trimester and attending selected health care facilities in Ogbomoso, a semiurban city in Oyo State, Nigeria. Body image perception, social support, and psychological distress scales were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed and summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA and multiple regression), with significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Regression analysis showed that 44% of the variation in psychological distress among pregnant women was explained by the background variables, marital status, body image perception, appraisal support, tangible support, belonging support, interaction between body image perception and appraisal support, belong support and tangible support.

CONCLUSION

Intervention programs focusing on bolstering tangible support, belonging support and appraisal support are recommended at reducing the psychological distress due to body image perception among pregnant women at third trimester.

Relationship of eating behavior and self-esteem with body image perception and other factors among female college students of University of Delhi

BACKGROUND

Eating disorders (EDs) can lead to life-threatening nutritional deficiencies whereas self-esteem influences interpersonal relationships and academic performance. Excessive concerns about body image resulting in body dissatisfaction not only affect psychological well-being but also predisposes to disordered eating behaviors. The objective of this study is to assess the eating behavior and level of self-esteem, their relationship with body image perception and also identify factors associated with them among undergraduate female college students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 female undergraduate students of University of Delhi. Sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Eating Attitude Test-26, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Contour Drawing Rating Scale and Body Shape Questionnaire 34 were used to assess eating behavior, self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction and body shape concerns, respectively. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used and binary logistic regression was applied to identify the factors determining high risk eating behavior and low self-esteem.

RESULTS

In this study, 27.8% of the study participants were overweight or obese, 30.6% had body shape concerns and 76.7% had body image dissatisfaction. Significant proportion (13.9%) of the participants was identified as high risk for the development of EDs and having low self-esteem (12.8%). Body shape concern and family influences were significant predictors of high risk eating behavior whereas type of college and family influences significantly predicted low self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that factors such as nutritional status, family influences, type of college and body shape concerns lead to high risk eating behavior and low self-esteem. These findings will help in creating awareness on importance of concept of positive body image, healthy weight control behaviors and in developing future interventions.

Development of a BMI-Assigned Stunkard Scale for the Evaluation of Body Image Perception Based on Data of the SOS Reference Study

INTRODUCTION

Stunkard's figure rating scale is a widely used tool to assess weight status and, more recently, body image perception in people with obesity. However, large population-based studies on Europeans linking this scale's silhouettes with measured BMI values are lacking. Therefore, we used measured weight and height data from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) reference cohort to assign a mean BMI to each of the 9 Stunkard Scale silhouettes and to define silhouette cutoff values for categorizing people with obesity and overweight.

METHODS

A total of 1,128 participants from the SOS reference cohort were included (54% females, BMI = 25.2 [ranging from 17.6 to 45.4] ±3.8 kg/m2, and age = 50 [ranging from 36 to 62] ±7 years [means ± standard deviation]). Patients estimated their own body size by choosing a silhouette of the Stunkard Scale. A mean BMI, based on measured weight and height, was assigned to each male and female silhouette of the Stunkard Scale. Measured BMI values were compared with BMI values calculated by simple linear regression analysis. ROC analysis was used to test accuracy of discrimination and the Youden index to assess optimal cutoff.

RESULTS

Figure ratings and BMI were strongly correlated in men, r (518) = 0.76, p < 0.001 and women, r (606) = 0.80, p < 0.001. Silhouette selection significantly predicted BMI values in men, β = 16.03, t (518) = 25.30, p < 0.001, and women, β = 12.06, t (606) = 32.98, p < 0.001, and explained a significant proportion of variance in BMI values in men, R2 = 0.55, F (1, 518) = 639.98, p < 0.001, and women, R2 = 0.64, F (1, 606) = 1,087.88, p < 0.001. ROC curve analyses resulted in an optimal cutoff value of 6 for identifying people with obesity and 5 for overweight.

CONCLUSION

Stunkard's figure rating scale can be used with confidence to assess weight status. Silhouette selection accurately classifies subjects as overweight or obese.

Anthropometric and dietary differences among Mexican older adults with and without adequate body image perception

OBJECTIVE

We compared anthropometric and dietary indicators between groups of older Mexican adults with accurate or inaccurate body image perception (BIP).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 201 older adults (age ≥ 60 years) of both sexes who completed the Stunkard scale for BIP, which consists of nine silhouettes with an equivalent of body mass index (BMI) status, then, the accuracy with their real BMI was calculated and reported energy and macronutrient intake through a 24-h dietary recall directed by different geriatric centers in Colima, Mexico. Basic anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We found that 71.1% of the older adults had inaccurate BIP; 66.6% underestimated their body mass and 4.5% overestimated their body mass, the other 28.9% hat accurate BIP. The overall concordance between the real nutritional status and BIP was poor (kappa coefficient = 0.03). The inaccurate BIP group had a significantly higher mean body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and arm and calf circumference compared to the accurate BIP group (p < .001); only 4.3% of the older adults who were overweight and 6.2% who were obese had an accurate BIP. Regarding dietary consumption, we found significant differences only in energy and carbohydrate intake between the two groups. Finally, excess body fat was associated with an inaccurate BIP (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.5-5.5).

CONCLUSION

In older adults, an inaccurate BIP is generally associated with high anthropometric values and less than adequate dietary intake.

Self-perceived body image, dissatisfaction with body weight and nutritional status of Brazilian adolescents: a nationwide study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agreement and risk factors for underestimation and overestimation between nutritional status and self-perceived body image and to assess the prevalence and associated factors for dissatisfaction with body weight among Brazilian adolescents.

METHODS

Students aged 12-17 years participating in the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents ("ERICA"), a multicenter, cross-sectional, school-based country-wide study, were included (n=71,740). Variables assessed as covariates were sex, age, skin color, socioeconomic status, and common mental disorders (screened by the General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12). Multinomial logistic regression was used to explore the association between covariates and combinations between self-perceived body image and body mass index (agreement, underestimation and overestimation). The associations between dissatisfaction with body weight and exposure variables were investigated using multivariable Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

Approximately 66% students rightly matched their body mass index with self-perceived weight (kappa coefficient was 0.38 for boys and 0.35 for girls). Agreement was higher among younger students and adolescents from low income households. Male sex, older age, and GHQ-12 score ≥3 were associated with weight overestimation. Prevalence of dissatisfaction with body weight was 45.0% (95% CI: 44.0-46.0), and higher among girls, older adolescents, those with underweight or overweight/obesity, as well as those who were physically inactive and with GHQ-12 ≥3.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the sample rightly self-perceived their body image according to body mass index. Students with body image misperception and those dissatisfied with their weight were more likely to present a positive screening for common mental disorders.

Body image dissatisfaction and its determinants among young primary-school adolescents

Objectives

Awareness of body image perception among children and adolescents has been rising during recent years. The objectives of this study were to identify body image dissatisfaction and its associated factors among primary-school students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven randomly selected primary schools, involving students aged 11 to 12. A guided self-administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic data, body mass index (BMI) parameters, and body image perception (Childress Contour Drawing Rating Scale), was used.

Results

This study involved 776 primary-school students. Approximately 60.1% of students had body image dissatisfaction, which was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with sex and Body Mass Index (BMI). Females had 2.07 times higher rates of body image dissatisfaction (b = 0.73, OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.53, 2.81, p < 0.001) compared to their male counterparts when adjusted for other variables. Overweight/obese students had 4.06 times greater body image dissatisfaction (b = 1.40, OR = 4.06, 95% CI 2.70, 6.10, p < 0.001) compared to students with normal BMI when adjusted for other variables.

Conclusion

This study highlights a high prevalence of body image dissatisfaction that is correlated with sex and BMI among primary-school students.

Body image perception of African immigrants in Europe

Nutritional disorders are now spreading worldwide both in developed and developing countries. Body image ideals and dissatisfaction have been linked to a number of poor health outcomes, including nutritional disorders. While previous studies have offered insight into weight status and body image perception of immigrants in North America, very few studies have analysed these aspects in migrants from Africa to Europe. Our review examines the effects of the migration process on beauty ideals and body dissatisfaction in African immigrants in Europe compared to residents in their own countries. The PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies published from January 2000 till November 2015. Of the 730 titles identified, 26 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. Among African residents, the body preferences depend on the country of residence and their socio-cultural status. Ethnic groups living in great isolation or with low incomes still have an ancestral idea of beauty, preferring a shapely body. However ethnic groups living in urban areas are moving toward Westernization of beauty ideals, preferring underweight or normal weight bodies. This review highlights that both residents and migrants are at high risk of nutritional disorders due to the adoption of Western beauty ideals. The results suggest that body dissatisfaction and BMI are increasing from Southern Africa to Europe according to a geographical gradient (described for females by Spearman's coefficient and linear regression, respectively). We emphasize the need for monitoring of the weight and psychological status of immigrants and the development of specific preventive strategies in European countries.

Weight status, fatness and body image perception of North African immigrant women in Italy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the nutritional status of North African (NA) immigrant women in Italy, analysing their body size, adiposity and body image perception in comparison to Italian natives and NA residents.

DESIGN

The study utilized a cross-sectional design. Anthropometric traits were directly measured and a few indices were computed as proxy measures of nutritional status and adiposity. Body image perception was assessed using silhouette drawings. ANCOVA, adjusted for age, was used to compare anthropometric traits among different groups of women and the χ 2 test to analyse differences in the prevalence of nutritional status.

SETTING

Italy and North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco).

SUBJECTS

A sample of 433 women aged 18-60 years old: NA immigrants (n 105); Italians (n 100); Tunisians (n 104); Moroccans (n 124).

RESULTS

Overweight/obesity prevalence was very high in immigrants (79·8 %). Immigrants had the highest BMI value, the greatest hip circumference and mid upper-arm circumference. Their triceps skinfold thickness was significantly higher than that of Italians, but lower than that of NA residents.

CONCLUSIONS

NA immigrant women in Italy showed a higher incidence of overweight compared with Italians and NA residents. All groups showed a preference for a thinner body in comparison to their actual bodies and the immigrants are the most dissatisfied. Immigrants remain a high-risk group for obesity. Assessment of their body composition and health risk profile should be improved by using specific anthropometric measures that are easy to collect even in the case of large migration flows.

The Impact of Facial Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeries on Patients' Quality of Life

The aim of the present prospective and descriptive study was to assess the impact of facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries on quality of life. Ninety-one patients, of whom 43 had aesthetic surgery and 48 had reconstructive surgery, were analysed. The data were collected using the patient information form, body cathexis scale, and short form (SF)-36 quality of life scale. There were significant differences between before and after the surgery in both groups in terms of body cathexis scale and quality of life (p < 0.05 for both). It was observed that problems regarding the body image perception were encountered more, and the quality of life was poorer in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery patients before the surgery. However, the problems were decreased, and the quality of life was enhanced after the surgery. Among the parameters of SF-36 quality of life scale, particularly the mean scores of social functioning, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, mental health, and vitality/fatigue were found low before the surgery, whereas the mean scores were significantly improved after the surgery. The results revealed that facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgical interventions favourably affected the body image perception and self-esteem and that positive reflections in emotional, social, and mental aspects were effective in enhancing self-confidence and quality of life of the individual.