Body Image Issues Research Articles

PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND E-COUNSELING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ADOLESCENTS

ABSTRACT: The impetus behind this paper is to map the literature on the impact of social media on adolescents’ mental health through a psychological perspective, using data from original papers published from 2016 to 2021 using bibliometric analysis. The key findings include A) social media causes problems such as anxiety, depression, body image issues, and FoMo. B) The use of social media has exponentially increased over the past 5 years. C) Past studies have only addressed platforms. But, the implications of social media on social interactions is a field still open to study. The implications E-counseling has on mental health is also a study with potential.

Addressing a Social Media Addiction and Solution from Simplified Kundalini Yoga Practices

ABSTRACT Social media's impact on the mental health of youngsters is complex and multifaceted. While it provides connectivity and opportunities, it also presents challenges. Excessive usage can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, as users compare their lives to curated online personas. Cyberbullying and online harassment further exacerbate emotional distress. The constant need for validation through likes and comments can negatively affect self-esteem. Moreover, the fast-paced, curated nature of social media can foster unrealistic beauty standards and induce body image issues. However, social media can also offer support networks and resources for mental health awareness. Finding a balance between online and offline interactions, promoting Yoga is a best solution. Simplified Kundalini Yoga is a practice that helps to connect with our innermost selves and tap into our spiritual nature. By cultivating a sense of mindfulness and awareness, we can develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

The Representation of Body Image and Self-Acceptance of The Main Character in 45 Pounds (More or Less) By K.A Barson

This research is an analysis of the representation of body image and self-acceptance issues of the main character in 45 Pounds (More or Less) through the perspective of Hall’s representation theory. By applying Hall's theory of representation to this research, the researcher gains a deeper understanding of how the novel represents and reinforces cultural norms and values related to body image and self-acceptance, and how these representations shape the feelings and emotions of readers related to the discourse of body image and self-acceptance.This study uses a qualitative research method in which the data sources are primary and secondary data. The primary data are in the form of narrations, dialogues and statements in the novel by K.A Barson entitled 45 Pounds (More or Less) as the main focus in this research. The secondary data includes the historical data, psychological research and cultural studies on body image and self-acceptance. This research focuses on the representation of body image and self-acceptance issue and the critical position of the author through the sense or content in 45 Pounds (More or Less). The analysis results shows that these issues were predominantly influenced by the media’s portrayal of unrealistic beauty standards, leading characters to constantly compare themselves and feel dissatisfied. The author prioritized health over vanity and encouraged readers to look beyond societal pressures, promoting a deeper appreciation of one’s body and self-worth

Appearance Dissatisfaction and Body Dysmorphic Disorder in the Dermatology Patient.

Dermatologists routinely see patients with inflammatory skin conditions and aesthetic concerns that involve substantial psychological comorbidity. However, most dermatologists do not receive formal training in this area, and many are unsure how to best help treat certain patients holistically. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a common and distressing psychiatric condition that disproportionately impacts dermatology patients, including patients living with chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and atopic dermatitis. BDD is characterized by preoccupation with nonexistent or minimally noticeable flaws in physical appearance that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning. Adolescent populations may be particularly vulnerable to clinically significant body image dissatisfaction, including BDD, due to the high prevalence of acne and the pervasive role of social media platforms. The rise of social media may exacerbate body image issues through repetitive exposure to idealized and often unrealistic beauty standards. Though screening questionnaires can assist dermatologists in recognizing BDD, dermatologists must collaborate with mental health providers to provide comprehensive care to vulnerable patients, including adolescents.J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(7):545-550.  doi:10.36849/JDD.8156.

Sex difference in body image, exercise motivation and social comparison among Instagram users: a cross sectional study.

In the 21 st century, impact of social media, particularly Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has been linked to a wide range of human beliefs and expectations. Growing body of research has indicated that body image concerns along with exercise motivation and social comparison are on the rise among young adults. The present study aimed to examine the sex difference in body image, exercise motivation and social comparison among people who use Instagram in the age group 20-30. A total of 212 participants (men=106, women=106) aged 20-30 years, who are users of Instagram completed Body Self Image Questionnaire Short Form as a measure of Body image, Exercise Motivation Inventory - 2 as a measure of Exercise Motivation and Instagram as a Tool for Social Comparison as a measure of Social Comparison. Results showed that a significant difference in body image exist across gender with body image issues higher among females and significant difference in exercise motivation across gender with exercise motivation higher among males. No sex differences were seen in social comparison. It was concluded that body image concerns are higher among females and the drive for exercise is higher among males who used Instagram. It was found that body image concerns were higher among people who exercised regularly as well as among those who followed fitness related pages on Instagram as compared to those who did not. These results provide an insight into the sex differences between the variables and future directions can be aimed at conducting an in-depth analysis using body image, exercise motivation and social comparison.

Cultural Differences in Body Image: A Systematic Review

Culture affects individuals’ perceptions and experiences of their bodies. In order to provide the most effective solutions to body image-related issues, it is necessary to understand cultures and their influences on body image in various populations. This paper focuses on the effects of culture on body image. Therefore, a systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, yielding 2064 articles published between 1990 and 2023. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 54 articles were selected. Our findings showed a strong influence of culture on body image, highlighting the impact of societal expectations on individuals’ mental well-being. Western cultures, with their preference for thinness, differ from non-Western ideals. The findings also showed the impact of regional variations within the same culture and society on body image. Furthermore, the study found that the young demographic, especially females, is the most vulnerable to body image issues; however, emerging research within our review also indicates a growing concern among males. This study underscores the necessity of culturally considering interventions to address body image issues, which are integral to improving mental health concerns like body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety.

Body image, eating distress and emotional-behavioral difficulties among adolescents in Mbarara, Southwestern Uganda

BackgroundAdolescents frequently have emotional and behavioral difficulties as they struggle with the challenges of transition from childhood to adulthood. Many struggle with issues of body image and eating distress as they deal with the difficult and frequently perplexing changes that occur with puberty. Yet there is surprisingly little research on the emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as body image and eating distress among this sizable population in Uganda. This study sought to assess attitudes and behaviors related to body image and eating distress, as well as emotional and behavioral difficulties among adolescents in Mbarara, Southwestern Uganda.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study among 788 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years in secondary schools in Mbarara city and Mbarara district in south-western Uganda. The study employed the Body Image and Eating Distress scale to assess attitudes and behaviors about dieting and body shape and the extended version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess for perceived emotional and behavioral difficulties. Logistic regression was used to identify the association between body image and eating distress and perceived difficulties.ResultsThe prevalence of high body image and eating distress was 10.8% while that of perceived emotional and behavioral difficulties was 45.8%. Some of the adolescents (16.1%) were dissatisfied with their body shape, 24.6% exercised a lot to avoid gaining weight, 15.0% were terrified to gain even a little weight, and 12.1% could not control their eating. More males reported eating large amounts of food at one time (p = < 0.001). Having emotional and behavioral difficulties (aOR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.18 – 3.02; p = 0.019) and coming from a two-parent household (aOR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.10 – 2.92; p = 0.019) increased the odds of high body image and eating distress.ConclusionHigh levels of body image and eating distress are linked to behavioral and emotional problems and adolescent’s family structure. Clinicians who treat adolescents should use a holistic care strategy and be aware of the high prevalence and close association between emotional and behavioral difficulties, concerns about weight, and dieting. It is important to encourage parental involvement and support in providing information about mental health issues among adolescents.

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in College- Going Students: A Quantitative Study

Introduction: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by a preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect. It is an underrecognized part yet relatively common and is considered a severe mental disorder that occurs globally. BDD is more common than is realized and causes significant distress and occupational impairment. Hence, it is important to understand the magnitude of occupational impairment in college students with BDD. Before identifying the occupational impairment in college-going students, we need to understand the prevalence of BDD amongst them. Aim: To measure the prevalence of BDD in undergraduate Medical and Allied Health college-going students. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional quantitative study design was used to conduct the study. Medical and Allied Health Students of Goa Medical College, Goa. Methods and Material: A convenient sampling method was used. A self-report, body image questionnaire was used, which has a sensitivity of 95.1% and a specificity of 71.6%. Statistical Analysis used: Data obtained and entered in a Google Excel sheet and analyzed in IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Out of the 378 students surveyed, 72.5% were female. Among the student population, 6.9% were found to have BDD. The male-to-female ratio among those with BDD was 1:5. Additionally, it was observed that approximately 61.5% of students who were under 21 years of age were likely to have BDD. Furthermore, it was noted that 45.8% of the total students surveyed experienced slight distress due to their physical features, while approximately 47.1% of students reported that they always avoided certain situations or activities because their features caused them distress. Additionally, 44.4% of the total student population expressed being slightly preoccupied with their physical features and thinking about them frequently. Moreover, approximately 25.1% of the overall student population stated that their features slightly affected their ability to work or study, indicating interference with their academic or professional pursuits. Conclusion: The data suggests that a significant portion of the surveyed population, particularly females, are susceptible to BDD. The disorder appears to affect a substantial percentage of students, with a higher prevalence among those under 21 years of age. Additionally, a considerable number of students report experiencing distress, avoidance behaviors, preoccupation with their physical features, and interference with their work or study due to these concerns. These findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health and body image issues among students and may warrant further investigation and support for those affected by BDD.

Adaptation and implementation of body project as a universal body image program in Mexico and Latin America

ABSTRACT The Body Project (BP) intervention for body image issues is supported by extensive efficacy and effectiveness research, most of which has been conducted in the United States. The BP uses cognitive dissonance to help participants critique the ideal appearance through written, verbal, and behavioral exercises. This reduces the internalization of the appearance ideal, which in turn decreases body dissatisfaction symptoms and, in some individuals, the onset of eating disorders. To broadly implement this program in Mexico and Latin America, Comenzar de Nuevo (CdN), a non-profit organization for eating disorder treatment, partnered with the Body Project Collaborative in 2014. Together, they created a training and implementation infrastructure. This paper explores the adaptation of BP and its implementation in Mexico and Latin America. We used sustainable business, marketing, and educational models to fulfill CdN’s mission to reduce eating disorder risk factors, including weight stigma, in the Latin American region. By integrating strategies to combat weight stigma within our program delivery, we strive to contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment. We trained master trainers, regular trainers, and/or group facilitators from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Spain; and implemented the BP in 15 public schools supported by sponsorship programs. This paper provides crucial lessons learned, future directions, and implications for dissemination and implementation efforts in this region of the world.

Body evaluation in men: the role of body weight dissatisfaction in appearance evaluation, eating, and muscle dysmorphia psychopathology.

Body image dissatisfaction is a significant concern among men, influencing appearance evaluation, eating behaviors, and muscle dysmorphia psychopathology. However, research on these correlations is notably deficient in men, largely because body image concerns are unevenly distributed between genders. Therefore, this study aims to assess the various dimensions of concerns about body image in men and explore their associations with characteristics such as sexual orientation. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 251 adult men from fitness centers in the Veneto Region, Italy. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R), and the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI). Body weight perception and dissatisfaction were evaluated using a Figure Rating Scale (FRS) with 12 male biometric silhouettes. Participants were divided into three subgroups based on the experienced levels of body weight dissatisfaction: those who rated a smaller body (BWsmaller), those who rated a larger body (BWlarger) more highly relative to their own estimated body size, and those who reported implicit neutrality with their current weight (BWneu). BWsmaller participants reported higher levels of eating-related concern, while BWlarger participants exhibited higher levels of muscle dysmorphia. Additionally, the BWlarger group showed the highest degree of quantitative perceptual underestimation of their body weight. Sexual orientation was found to have an impact on body weight dissatisfaction, with bisexual men more likely to desire an increase in weight and gay men more likely to desire a decrease. Body weight dissatisfaction significantly impacts appearance evaluation, eating behaviors, and muscle dysmorphia psychopathology in males. Tailored interventions that consider individual differences can support the well-being of men. The study provides useful insight into male body image issues, warranting further exploration to inform effective interventions and promote positive body image and mental health in this population.

Pleasurable and problematic receptive anal intercourse and diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

The ability to experience pleasurable sexual activity is important for human health. Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) is a common, though frequently stigmatized, pleasurable sexual activity. Little is known about how diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus and their treatments affect RAI. Engaging in RAI with gastrointestinal disease can be difficult due to the unpredictability of symptoms and treatment-related toxic effects. Patients might experience sphincter hypertonicity, gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety, altered pelvic blood flow from structural disorders, decreased sensation from cancer-directed therapies or body image issues from stoma creation. These can result in problematic RAI - encompassing anodyspareunia (painful RAI), arousal dysfunction, orgasm dysfunction and decreased sexual desire. Therapeutic strategies for problematic RAI in patients living with gastrointestinal diseases and/or treatment-related dysfunction include pelvic floor muscle strengthening and stretching, psychological interventions, and restorative devices. Providing health-care professionals with a framework to discuss pleasurable RAI and diagnose problematic RAI can help improve patient outcomes. Normalizing RAI, affirming pleasure from RAI and acknowledging that the gastrointestinal system is involved in sexual pleasure, sexual function and sexual health will help transform the scientific paradigm of sexual health to one that is more just and equitable.

An appetite to win: Disordered eating behaviours amongst competitive cyclists

Competitive cyclists may be vulnerable to disordered eating (DE) and eating disorders (ED) due to perceived body composition optimisation and external influences within cycling culture and from stakeholders. Therefore, this study aimed to assess DE and ED risk in competitive cyclists using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), explore differences in responses based on sex, discipline and level of competition, and to gain insights into contributing factors towards DE via open-ended survey questions. In total, 203 participants completed a mixed-method questionnaire. Eating disorders were reported by 5.7% ( n = 11) of participants, with three being historic cases. The median (inter-quartile range) EAT-26 score was 8 (12) of a total possible score of 78. Disordered eating risk was observed in 16.7% of participants due to an EAT-26 score ≥20. Female participants had significantly higher scores than male participants (12.5 ± 17.5 vs. 6.5 ± 10.0; p = .004). There was no significant difference between road cyclists and off-road cyclists (7.0 ± 13.25 vs. 8.0 ± 10.5; p = .683). There was a significant difference in scores between novice/club/regional and national/elite/professional cyclists (6.0 ± 11.25 vs. 10.5 ± 12.0; p = .007). Thematic analysis of open-text responses found that the social environment of competitive cycling contributed towards DE behaviours and body image issues. These findings indicate competitive cyclists do appear to be an ‘at risk’ population for DE/ED. Therefore, there is need for stakeholders to enhance nutritional services, nutrition education and create supportive athlete environments.

Understanding muscularity, physique anxiety, and the experience of body image enhancement among men and women: A mixed‐methods study

AbstractThis study explores the growing trend of pursuing an ideal muscular physique, which escalates the risk of body image issues and engagement in enhancement behaviours. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, we examined the psychosocial dynamics surrounding these ideals and experiences, particularly the use of performance and image‐enhancing drugs (PIEDs). The quantitative arm of the study, involving 131 participants of mixed gender, investigated associations between social physique anxiety (SPA), drive for muscularity, male body attitudes, appearance comparisons, and self‐compassion. Concurrently, qualitative interviews with 16 individuals engaged in PIEDs interrogated the reasons for body image concerns and adaptive coping strategies around increasing body appreciation. The study emphasises the convergence of muscular ideals across genders and advocates for continued research in this domain.

Scrolls, Likes, and Filters: The New Age Factor Causing Body Image Issues

The increasing rate of body image issues among individuals from ages as young as 13 is extremely worrisome. In a society where the ideal body is ‘thin and fit’, social media sites and platforms are playing an active role in planting the societal standards in the minds of individuals. This study analysis the social media sites popularly used, hours spent on social media, mental effects of consuming information and content relating to body image and using ‘thinspo’ as motivation/inspiration. This study concludes that social media plays a more prominent role in affecting the younger population, especially sites like Instagram. The type of content consumed by each generation is different and thereby as a different effect on them. The study also provides certain suggestions to reduce the impact of social media on a person’s perception of self.

Attachment, Mentalization, Emotion Dysregulation, and Empathy in Eating Disorders: Comparing Anorexic and Bulimic Patients.

Eating disorders (EDs) represent a wide range of clinical symptoms related to food intake, body image, and weight issues, and include anorexia nervosa-restricting type (AN-R), anorexia nervosa-binge-purge type (AN-BP), and bulimia nervosa (BN). The aim was to investigate the characteristics of attachment, mentalization, emotion dysregulation, and empathy in a sample of 102 patients with EDs. A sample of 102 patients and therapists completed a series of measures for the assessment of ED pathology, mentalization, empathy, and emotion dysregulation. Pearson correlations and analysis of variance were used to test the characteristics of the variables among the groups. In relation to attachment and emotion dysregulation, no significant differences were found. In relation to mentalization, significant difference in good mentalization was found in AN-R subtype compared with the BN subtype. In relation to empathy, results showed significantly lower scores in BN subtype on affective empathy compared with the AN-BP subtype, and in AN-R subtype on cognitive empathy. Finally, we used Z-scores for each item ranked by value (higher to lower) to develop different clinical prototypes for each group. Our results point toward the clinical need to address the assessed variables, specifically mentalization, emotion dysregulation, and empathy, in the diagnosis and treatment of EDs.

The Body Image Virtual Reality Assessment (BIVRA): Measuring the body representation through virtual reality.

Our physical and psychological well-being is significantly influenced by how we perceive our body, in addition to our thoughts and emotions associated with it. Dysfunctional body perceptions and attitudes play a key role in the development and maintenance of severe conditions such as eating disorders in both males and females. Given its relevance, some attempts have been made to improve body image assessment methods in terms of perceptual accuracy and body satisfaction taking advantage of technological advances such as virtual reality. However, existing applications have mainly focused on women and clinical conditions. In this study, we presented the Body Image Virtual Reality Assessment (BIVRA), a virtual reality figure rating scale to assess body image in both male and female subjects. We tested BIVRA's ability to measure perceptual accuracy and compared its results with a standardized body satisfaction questionnaire. Additionally, we investigated gender differences. BIVRA was found to be effective in assessing body image. We observed that a perceptually based task successfully captured both low and high levels of body representations, shedding light on the significant gender differences. The association between BIVRA and the body satisfaction questionnaires was moderated by gender, with a stronger association for women. While further validation of BIVRA is needed to fully exploit its potential, our results suggest that the integration of virtual reality into the assessment of body image and related disorders may significantly enhance our understanding of individuals struggling with body image issues and has the potential to advance current methods and techniques.

Student opinions of body appreciation week: Openness to alternatives to a weight-centric model of health

Objective: Body image issues are common among young adult women on college campuses and are correlated with several negative outcomes. Only recently have universities begun to deliver Health at Every Size (HAES) education to university students to promote holistic health. Method: A sample of students who attended events for Body Appreciation Week (BAW) 2022 (N = 42) completed a Qualtrics survey collected by a student health promotion department at a large, southeastern university. I used this data to assess student openness to HAES and other alternatives to weight-centric approaches to health. Results: Overall, students who responded to the survey were pleased with programming that challenged diet culture and introduced the HAES model of health. Conclusion: Student feedback, along with previous research on college student programming interventions, suggests organizing similar events for future BAW and more frequent programming during the academic year to properly assess of the impact of these events on student health.

Attachment style to body dissatisfaction, restrained eating, and disordered eating in adolescent girls: Differential weight communication mediators

Body dissatisfaction and eating behaviors are disproportionately elevated amongst adolescent girls. Family relationships represent a context in which adolescent girls’ body image issues emerge. Thus, we integrated attachment and confirmation theories to examine whether weight related supportive messages (i.e., acceptance and challenge) mediated the relationship between attachment style (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) and body image outcomes (i.e., body dissatisfaction (BD), restrained eating (RE), and disordered eating (DE)). Acceptance refers to weight related support that is characterized by warmth and accepting messages; challenge refers to weight related support that is characterized by instrumental assistance and problem-solving messages. A sample of 106 adolescent girls, ages 11 to 21, completed self-report measures on attachment (Relationship Structures Questionnaire), acceptance and challenge (weight related Parental Behavior Questionnaire), body dissatisfaction (Eating Disorders Inventory), and eating behaviors (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire; Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale). Attachment anxiety directly related to all body image outcomes, whereas attachment avoidance only directly related to RE. Attachment avoidance only related to BD and DE indirectly through perceived acceptance. Those with high anxiety endorsed lower perceived challenge, whereas avoidant individuals endorsed lower perceived acceptance and challenge. We concluded that attachment dimension characteristics to be either hyperactivated regarding relationships (i.e., anxiety), or deactivated and distant (i.e., avoidance), are associated with how individuals perceive support, and in turn, are related to body image and eating behavior outcomes. Further, we clarify the differential roles of acceptance and challenge. Although both supportive, acceptance encompasses a layer of warmth that is more meaningful in body image, particularly for avoidantly attached individuals. By integrating qualities of attachment and supportive weight communication, we reveal that potential pathways of attachment to body image and eating behaviors.

Palliative Care for Pediatric Urology

Palliative care in the field of urology has largely been limited to adult oncologic conditions. Although there is a plethora of established literature suggesting the advantageous impact of palliative care, there is limited integration of palliative care in adult urology. This underutilization is further exacerbated in pediatric urology, and palliative care in pediatric urology remains an underexplored area despite the prevalence of several life-limiting conditions in this patient population. This paper highlights the potential need for palliative care intervention in a variety of urologic conditions in the pediatric population, including congenital lower urinary tract obstruction, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, exstrophy-epispadias complex, and congenital bilateral renal agenesis. Each condition poses unique challenges that can be addressed with the inclusion of a palliative care team, including decision-making spanning prenatal-neonatal-pediatric periods, acute and chronic symptom management, family relations, body image issues, risk of recurrent hospitalizations and surgeries, and potentially fatal complications. Alongside standard urologic interventions, palliative care can serve as an additional means of addressing physical and psychosocial symptoms experienced by pediatric urology patients to enhance the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Metal in My Body: Patients' Perception and Attitude Toward Orthopedic Implants.

Metal implants are broadly used in orthopedics and traumatology to stabilize bone fragments. This study aimed to explore patients' awareness, body image, and overall experience of living with a metal implant after a fracture. A mixed methods convergent design (QUAN+QUAL) was adopted. A self-reported 30-item questionnaire was used to investigate patients' perception and apprehension of the implantation of orthopedic materials. To enlighten the quantitative findings, semi-structured interviews followed till data saturation. Quantitative and qualitative data were compared during the analysis phase. Results showed that women's and elders' acceptance of the implants was greater than that of men and younger patients even in acute cases. The sense of superiority provided by the implant was mainly reported by the elderly (adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) for increasing age: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.1; p<0.01), and the sense of inferiority was mainly reported by young men (ORadj: 6.19; 95% CI: 2.36-16.22; p<0.01). Similarly, women and elderly mostly tended to answer that the injured limb felt stronger after the implant placement, while young men tended to answer a sense of weakness with the implant (ORadj for increasing age: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09; ORadj for male gender: 4.67; 95% CI: 1.87-11.7; p<0.01 for both regressions). Most participants (56.6%) and mainly young participants, regardless of gender, expressed the desire to get the metal implants removed (ORadj for increasing age: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.89-0.95; p<0.01). Misinformation and misconception were also found in a high percentage of the questioned patients (48.1%). Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that none of the participants directly attributed any change in their life, self, or body image to the implants. An altered body image was not reported. The most reported experience was the restriction of movement due to the accident or the subsequent physical weakness. Despite the acceptance of the implant being great, the level of patient knowledge was fairly low. The present study highlights the importance of providing patients with information throughout their management to avoid misunderstandings. Age and gender did influence patients' perception of the implants. Personalized assessment is further needed to address body image issues after an implant placement procedure.