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

Abstract

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.