The Relationship between Body shape concern, Self-esteem, Social anxiety and Body mass index in College students

Abstract

Background: Body shape concerns among adolescents are gradually increasing in India. What was initially thought of as a western concept is now being increasingly seen in India as well. Possibly the result of advent of media and globalization. Although research on this issue and factors influencing it are emerging in Asian countries including India,(1) the evidence is markedly deficient. Methodology: The Study was conducted among engineering, degree and medical college first year students in Khammam. Study sample comprised of 260 students, out of which there were 99 engineering, 81 degree and 80 MBBS first year college students. Body shape concern was measured by Body Shape Questionnaire. Self-esteem by Revised Feelings of Self Inadequacy scale and social anxiety was measured by Interaction Anxiousness Scale. Results: The main findings of the present study were that, there was a significant negative correlation of body shape concern and self-esteem and a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and social anxiety. There was a significant positive correlation between body shape concern and social anxiety. Body shape concern is more in females than in males (mean BSQ score in females=80.73 and in males=67.02). There was a significant difference of three variables when viewed in regard to different BMI levels namely under, normal and overweight. Conclusion: Current study has demonstrated that there is a relationship between body image, feelings of self-esteem and social anxiety. Keywords: social anxiety, self-esteem, body shape concern, BMI.