Gender Differences in Body Image Dissatisfaction and Eating Disorder among Nepalese Adolescents: a Paradigm Shift from Fatness to Thinness

Subash Thapa

doi:10.21767/2471-9854.100012

Abstract

Adolescents are vulnerable to body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorder, and this vulnerability might differ among females and males. Information about gender differences in prevalence and determinants of body image dissatisfaction and eating disorder in Nepalese adolescents is largely unknown. Therefore, we carried out to examine the gender difference in prevalence and determinants of eating disorder among adolescents in Kathmandu, Nepal. Two hundred and thirty nine adolescents aged 15 to 19 were invited to fill the self-administrable questionnaire. Almost, 71% of females had positive BID and 14% of females had negative BID. Whereas, 12% of males had positive BID and 60% had negative BID. The prevalence of eating disorder was 29% in females and 16% in males. Exposure to media determined BID and as such increased risk of eating disorder in both females and males. BMI was positively associated with BID in females and negatively associated with BID in males. Body esteem was also identified as a determinant of BID in females. It is recommended that awareness programs through different mass media about negative effects of eating disorder should be stipulated.

Highlights

Body image is the self-evaluation of the appearance and shape of one’s body
Adolescents who are dissatisfied with their body image could indulge themselves in different health compromising behaviors that can lead to inadequate intake of energy and essential nutrients, thereby jeopardizing growth, development and health [3,4]
Body image dissatisfaction (BID) was independently associated with media exposure, body esteem and body mass index (BMI) in females

Summary

Introduction

Body image is the self-evaluation of the appearance and shape of one’s body. Body image dissatisfaction (BID) is the negative subjective evaluation of one’s physical body [2]. Body image changes rapidly during adolescence and adolescents are very much concerned about it. Adolescents who are dissatisfied with their body image could indulge themselves in different health compromising behaviors that can lead to inadequate intake of energy and essential nutrients, thereby jeopardizing growth, development and health [3,4]. BID might be an important predictor of increased incidence of eating disorders [5] (Neumark-Sztainer, Paxton, Hannan, Haines, & Story, 2006) and a range of psychological ill health like depression and low self-esteem [5]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion