Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to estimate body image perception in undergraduate students, and to investigate its associations with weight status, abdominal obesity, muscularity, gender and sport.MethodsThe sample consisted of 231 Italian students (174 males and 57 females); anthropometric measurements, taken by trained technicians, were: height, weight, arm-circumference, waist and hip circumferences. BMI, WHR and Δ arm-circumference were calculated. Body image was assessed using body silhouette charts. Information about sport (currently practiced sport, starting age, and weekly hours of sport) was acquired with questionnaires.ResultsFemales perceived themselves as slightly overweight, while males identified themselves as normal weight. Females had a tendency to desire to be thinner in all weight status categories; in males, normal weight subjects had a tendency to desire to be larger, while overweight wished to be thinner. Sport practice was significantly higher in males. Individuals who were overweight and did less sport were significantly more likely to have higher body dissatisfaction.ConclusionsThe present study highlights a positive relationship between sport practice, corpulence and body image perception.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to estimate body image perception in undergraduate students, and to investigate its associations with weight status, abdominal obesity, muscularity, gender and sport
The sample consisted of 231 subjects; anthropometric measurements, body image and information about sport were acquired by trained technicians
Sport practice was significantly higher in males
Summary
The aim of this study was to estimate body image perception in undergraduate students, and to investigate its associations with weight status, abdominal obesity, muscularity, gender and sport. Body self-esteem is strongly related to overall self-esteem [1, 2], which is not surprising because the media in Western societies presents images of the ideal body and wields pressure for women to have a very thin body and men to have a big and muscular body [3,4,5]. Self-confidence is strongly influenced by body image in youth populations [6]. While this aspect has been widely studied in women, it is an important predictor of psychological well-being in young men [7]. Previous research suggests that gender influences the perception of healthy lifestyles and health-related decisions [9,10,11]
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