BODY IMAGE AVOIDANCE QUESTIONNAIRE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS: A STUDY OF A GROUP OF MOROCCAN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study is to assess physical appearance behavior avoidance among a group of Moroccan adolescents and to identify the associated factors. Material and methods. The data were gathered from a cross-sectional study conducted on 487 adolescents (223 boys and 264 girls), with the average age of 14.6 years. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and satisfaction of their body weight and height were considered in this study. Body satisfaction was evaluated by two questions: "Are you satisfied with your body weight?" and "are you satisfied with your body height?". The Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) test was used to assess the adopted behaviors. Results. The average score on the BIAQ test was 24.4. According to the different factors of the BIAQ test, the factors "clothing", "grooming and weighing", and "eating restraint", were more noticed among adolescents. The results showed that behavioral avoidance was associated with gender, age, BMI, and body dissatisfaction. It was females, the youngest group of adolescents, overweight, and those dissatisfied with their body weight or height who had the highest scores. This reflects the fact that adolescents resort to physical appearance behavior avoidance or control including practices such as dressing, grooming, and weighing. Conclusions. It is recommended by health professionals to enhance awareness among adolescents about the risks of adopting such behaviors on their physical and mental health, to correct the narrow and unrealistic standards of physical appearance, and to encourage healthy behaviors. Keywords: body image, behavior avoidance, adolescents, Marrakesh, Morocco.