Body Image Perception, Self Esteem and Eating Behaviour among Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Body image concerns are increasing day by day in adolescents. Body image perception, self-esteem and eating behaviour among adolescents is related with each other. Body Image perception is divided into Affective and behavioural body image perception. Objective: To assess body image perception, self- esteem and eating behaviour among adolescents. Methodology: Total 65 children in the age group of 13-16 years were selected by Simple Random Sampling from a selected school. Results: Out of 65 adolescents the least satisfaction was seen in body build, only 31 (47.69%) of adolescents were satisfied with body build, followed by satisfaction with over all look in photographs (56.92%). Out of 65 adolescents 43 (66.15%), 42 (64.61%) were satisfied with their weight and height respectively. As per behavioural perception of body Image 8 (12.30 %), 37 (56.92), 17 (26.15), 03 (04.61) were highly satisfied, satisfied, uncertain and dissatisfied with their body image respectively. All adolescents had high self-esteem. As per eating behaviour, 07 (10.77%) adolescents had normal eating behaviour and 58 (89.23%) had disordered eating behaviour. In contributing factors, family members tease the adolescents for their weight, height and appearance, adolescents prefer to look like their favourite celebrities and some adolescents were being teased by their peer group for their weight, height and appearance. Conclusion: Body image dissatisfaction is present in adolescents, eating pattern is also disordered. Keywords: [Adolescents, Body Image Perception, Self-esteem, eating behaviour]