Body Image Dissatisfaction And Body Mass Index In University Students

Abstract

Abstract: The imposition of the a esthetic model in today's societies, excessively thin in women and muscular for men, leads to the body representation being greatly influenced by these external standards, generating dissatisfaction. Aim: Describe the relationship between dissatisfaction with body image and objective nutritional status, self-perception and the degree of agreement between them, in university students. Materials and Methods: Transactional study of quantitative type with descriptive-correlational scope. The sample was 120 university students aged between 18 and 28 years. The Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) instruments, the “Body Dissatisfaction” sub-scale of the Eating Disorders Inventory in version 2 (EDI-2), and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. Student t-test, ANOVA, Pearson moment correlation and Chi-square were used. Results: 17.5% of the sample overestimated their nutritional status. Of these, 90.5% were women. BMI was directly and significantly associated with body image dissatisfaction (r = 0.45; p <0.001). The overestimation of nutritional status is significantly associated with concern about weight (p <0.05) and dissatisfaction with body image (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The overestimation of nutritional status is higher in women. Such overestimation of nutritional status is associated with a greater concern for weight, greater dissatisfaction with body image and a less positive assessment of appearance.