Abstract
Adolescents have high vulnerability for body image distortions which may result in many psychological and physical problems. This study aimed to determine body image perception and dissatisfaction among rural schooling adolescents in Sri Lanka. Adolescents (aged 13-16 years) were selected using probability-based sampling framework. Self-administered figure rating scale was used to assess perceived current (PCBS) and ideal (IBS) body size and body discrepancy score (BDS = PCBS – IBS). Pubertal stage was assessed with pubertal development scale. Anthropometry was done according to WHO guidelines. Of 3128 students studied, 47.8% were boys. Median PCBS was 4 (inter quartile range 1) for boys and 4 (2) for girls. Boys aspire a larger body size compared to girls and the respective median IBS were 5 (0) and 4 (1). More boys (70.4%, n = 1053) than girls (66.4%, n = 1084) were dissatisfied about their current body size; χ2 = 5.5, df = 1, p < 0.05. Overweight students recorded higher PCBS and were more dissatisfied with their body size when compared to others. Nearly half of boys and 29.6% girls wanted to have a larger body size than their current. The main influencing factor of body dissatisfaction was body mass index. Body dissatisfaction is evident even among rural adolescents, affecting boys more than girls. Many students show a desire to have a larger body size than their current. This study also provides valid and reliable tools to assess body dissatisfaction and pubertal development in Sinhala speaking adolescents.
Highlights
Adolescents have high vulnerability for body image distortions which may result in many psychological and physical problems
This study provides valid and reliable tools to assess body dissatisfaction and pubertal development in Sinhala speaking adolescents
Removal of any item from the scale resulted in a lower alpha value
Summary
Adolescents have high vulnerability for body image distortions which may result in many psychological and physical problems. Body image has been defined as “the picture of our own body which we form in our own minds” by Schilder (1951), it is considered a far more complex concept with multiple dimensions [1]. This picture is further influenced by various factors such as beliefs and expectations, peer and parent perceptions, media, mood, ethnicity, pubertal stage and time [2,3,4]. Weight underestimation could negatively affect the compliance in weight loss programs
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