Nutritional Status and Body Image Satisfaction among Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a phase of accelerated growth and major physical changes take place in the body. Nutritional status during the crucial period of adolescence could be a potential predictor of body image perception. Objectives: The study aimed at assessing the nutritional status and body image satisfaction among adolescent girls. Methods: Descriptive study was conducted among 135 adolescent girls of selected school, Kochi selected through random sampling method. Tools used were structured questionnaire for demographic data, BMI for age growth chart (5-19 years) Z score according to WHO and nutritional history to assess nutritional status and body image satisfaction was assessed by modified version (SF-14) of Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Data was analyzed using SPSS version. Results: Majority (63.7%) of them having normal nutritional status, 17.8 % of them were mild thinness, 8.9% were overweight 7.4% of them were showing severe thinness and only 2.2 % of them were obese. Among that majority (57.8%) had mild concern, 8.9% of them having moderate concern and 2.2% of them having marked concern regarding the body image irrespective of their BMI. And also there was highly statistically significant (p=.000) association between nutritional status and body image satisfaction. Interpretation and Conclusion: Though majority of study groups satisfied about their body image few girls felt moderate to marked concern with their nutritional status. Raising awareness of body image size and increasing body satisfaction with weight status should be established by good receptions of healthy lifestyle among girls. Keywords: nutritional status, body image satisfaction, adolescent girls.