Self-perceived Image Research Articles

Accuracy of body weight perceptions among students in a medical school in Central Delhi, India.

Body image is an important aspect of the complex creation of one's self-identity. The relationship between nutritional disorders, like obesity, and one's perception of her or his body is well documented. Obesity among medical students and health personnel is on the rise. Identifying and measuring the magnitude of distortion in body image self-perception among medical students is particularly relevant, as they are future healthcare providers. This paper assesses self-perceptions of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity among medical undergraduate students in an Indian medical school. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 161 sixth semester medical undergraduate students in a school in Delhi, India. A pretested questionnaire was used. Anthropometric measurements were taken. The participation rate was 93.6%. Out of the total 161 students, there were 60.9% males and 39.1% females. Most participants were classified as normal (55.9%) according to BMI. The proportions of actual obese, overweight and underweight students were 4.4%, 30.4% and 9.3%, respectively. However, the proportion of students perceiving themselves as obese or overweight was only 37.3%. A significantly higher proportion of females (57.2%) than males (20.4%) perceived themselves as overweight (P < 0.001). The agreement between actual BMI and perceived weight was poor (kappa statistic: 0.33). Among actual overweight and obese students, only one-third were physically active. Students who were overweight or obese often failed to perceive themselves as such and, perhaps consequently, were not engaging in weight control practices. There is a need to develop health promotion interventions that help build healthy body habitus perceptions among this group of Indian medical students.

Correlation analysis between digital photography measurement of trunk deformity and self-image perception in patients with idiopathic scoliosis

Trunk deformity in idiopathic scoliosis has been fully analyzed using different surface metrics but all of them are expensive and cannot be widely used. Recently it has been suggested that some measures of trunk deformity obtained in digital photography can be useful in the assessment of trunk deformity. Some asymmetry measures have been proposed but the relationship between these measures and patients’ self-image perception has not been established.

Single Site Laparoscopy for Fertility Preservation: A Cohort Study

Study ObjectiveTo compare operative and postoperative results of ovarian cortex retrieval by conventional laparoscopy (1cm umbilical site and 3 accessory 5-mm-reusable working ports) (HASS) versus single site laparoscopy (SSL). DesignProspective cohort study. SettingFertility Preservation Programme at La Fe University Hospital-University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain, 2011 to 2012. Fertility Preservation Programme at La Fe University Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. PatientsTwenty-one patients with cancer (breast cancer: n = 17; Hodgkin's lymphoma: n = 3; and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: n = 1). InterventionOvarian cortex retrieval either by conventional laparoscopy using an umbilical Hasson port and 3 accessory ports (HASS group: n = 11) or by SSL (SSL group: n = 10). Measurements and Main ResultsOperative length, blood loss, postoperative pain (visual analog scale for pain at 6, 24, and 48 hours), need of additional analgesia, quality of life (European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions), cosmesis of the scar, and patient's self-perception were assessed at 24 and 48 hours and 3 months after surgery. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Estimated blood loss, operative length, and postoperative pain did not differ between groups. The start of chemotherapy was not delayed in either group, and cosmesis and image self-perception were also similar. ConclusionThe SSL approach can be considered a safe option compared with the classic multisite approach.

Corrélation entre les mesures de déformation et le score SRS-22 de perception de soi chez les adolescentes porteuses d’une scoliose idiopathique

BackgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a pathology which affects the individual's functioning in the widely understood physical, psychic, and social aspects. More attention should be paid to patients’ perception of self-image when evaluating the spine deformity. The present retrospective study evaluated the associations between the deformity measures and self-image score as determined by the SRS-22 questionnaire in Chinese female AIS patients. HypothesisThe self-image score correlates significantly with deformity measures. The location of main curve apex and the number of curve could affect the self-image score. Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 202 female patients, collected data on patient's age, body mass index, radiographic and physical measures and self-image score of SRS-22 questionnaire. According to the location of main curve apex and the number of curve, the patients were divided to different subgroups. Correlations between deformity measures and self-image score of different groups were evaluated by the Spearman correlation test. ResultsThe self-image score correlated negatively with the main Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation (AVT), and razor hump height. There is no significant difference of self-image score between thoracic curve (TC) and thoracolumbar curve (TL/LC) subgroups. And the self-image scores of one-curve, two-curve and three-curve subgroups are similar. DiscussionFor Chinese female AIS patients in our study, self-image was found to correlate negatively with the main Cobb angle, AVT and razor hump height. And the location of scoliosis apex and the number of curve are not influencing factors of self-image perception. Level of evidenceIV. Retrospective study.

Relation between self-image score of SRS-22 with deformity measures in female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients

BackgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a pathology which affects the individual's functioning in the widely understood physical, psychic, and social aspects. More attention should be paid to patients’ perception of self-image when evaluating the spine deformity. The present retrospective study evaluated the associations between the deformity measures and self-image score as determined by the SRS-22 questionnaire in Chinese female AIS patients. HypothesisThe self-image score correlates significantly with deformity measures. The location of main curve apex and the number of curve could affect the self-image score. Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 202 female patients, collected data on patient's age, body mass index, radiographic and physical measures and self-image score of SRS-22 questionnaire. According to the location of main curve apex and the number of curve, the patients were divided to different subgroups. Correlations between deformity measures and self-image score of different groups were evaluated by the Spearman correlation test. ResultsThe self-image score correlated negatively with the main Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation (AVT), and razor hump height. There is no significant difference of self-image score between thoracic curve (TC) and thoracolumbar curve (TL/LC) subgroups. And the self-image scores of one-curve, two-curve and three-curve subgroups are similar. DiscussionFor Chinese female AIS patients in our study, self-image was found to correlate negatively with the main Cobb angle, AVT and razor hump height. And the location of scoliosis apex and the number of curve are not influencing factors of self-image perception. Level of evidenceLevel IV, retrospective study.

Changes in the perception of self-image and the sense of purpose and meaning in life, among women who lost their child before birth

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The article is concerned with descriptions of self-image and the sense of purpose in life, among women who have experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth. The loss of a child at the prenatal stage is a very difficult experience for the mother. Such women experience a wide range of emotions and often show unpredictable behaviours, both of which can influence their future functioning and mental health.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Participants and procedure&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The goal of the current study was to look at the differences between women who had given birth to a healthy child, and those who lost an unborn child. A total of 125 women participated in the study. The Gough and Heilbrun Adjective Check List (ACL) as well as Wong’s Personal Meaning Profile tests were used as research methods.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; As expected, significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of their self-image and perceived sense of purpose and meaning in life. Women who lost an unborn child had a tendency for lower self-esteem, higher perceived guilt and lower needs.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The obtained results suggest the need for observation of mothers who experienced a prenatal child loss. The access to professional help and support from physicians and, more importantly, psychologists and therapists has an influence on their self-image, and the sense of purpose in both the present and the future. Adequate professional assistance has an influence on their family relations and their ability to plan another pregnancy (further attempts at conception), without a perception of guilt associated with the loss of the previous child.

No. 267 Correlation Analysis Between Digital Photography Measurement of Trunk Deformity and Self-Image Perception in Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis

No. 267 Correlation Analysis Between Digital Photography Measurement of Trunk Deformity and Self-Image Perception in Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Influence of weight loss therapy programs in body image self-perception in adults with intellectual disabilities

Some studies suggest that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) might show distortions regarding body image self-perception. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether people with ID could correctly identify their body image and to determine if participating in a weight loss therapy program (WLTP) influenced in any way that perception. For that purpose, an experiment was proposed and all along a weight loss therapy program, a comparison between a body image subjective measure, as the Stunkard scale, and an objective one, as body mass index, was performed. The results obtained showed that individuals with ID (n=24) perceived in a wrong way their body image before any intervention program (58%). After applying the WLTP for ten weeks, an accentuation in this perception distortion (83%), mostly related with underestimation, was observed with respect to actual body mass index values. The strongest conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that people with ID do not correctly identify their body image. Furthermore, participating in WLTP influences their physical self-concept perception in the way that controlling two variables, as exercise and caloric restriction, causes greater disruption in that perception than controlling only one of them.

The endocrinology of baldness.

The endocrinology of baldness Male pattern baldness, scientifically known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is a very common condition, universally prevalent, which progresses with aging. The loss of scalp hair of any degree both in men and women is a cause of considerable psychological distress associated with a loss of self-esteem and feelings of diminished self-image, resulting in introversion and depression. Particularly among men, the very manifest obviousness of baldness is often a source of major psychological anguish. Two clinical features of male baldness have been recognized: a predisposition to scalp hair loss inherited from the father or grandfather(s) and a negative connection of scalp hair loss with the testes. Eunuchs and pre-pubertally castrated men who fail to develop body hair have normal scalp hair which shows no sign of loss with age. However, castrates receiving lifelong replacement therapy with testosterone show scalp hair loss and various degrees of baldness. The complete restoration of body hair in eunuchs and castrates by the administration of testosterone established the notion that androgens are responsible for hair growth, but at the same time it revealed the hair loss effect of testosterone on scalp hair. 1 The paradox of a diametrically different action of a hormone on its receptors aroused much interest and initiated research into the dual effect of testosterone and into the investigation of this biological aberrance that has created an unwanted phenotypic manifestation which, because of its great prevalence, the psychological impact and the difficulties and cost of treatment, is an important medicosocial problem. This review is a discussion on the endocrine connections at the hormonal, molecular and genetic levels with male and female scalp hair loss and on the psychological effects. Also discussed is the theory that baldness may be an early prognostic marker of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. The psychological effecTs of baldness Head hair is an essential complimentary feature to the face in the composition of an individual’s physiognomy and, by virtue of its natural qualities and its capacity to be modeled artistically, contributes significantly to an individual’s self-perceived image as well as to the response of others. It is therefore only natural that hair loss to any degree will have a negative psychological impact on the quality of a person’s life. Several studies have documented the psychological distress caused by baldness and investigated its parameters.

Abstract P450: Young Women with Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk Burden have Poor Health Literacy

Introduction: Young women are thought to have low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however, mortality due to ischemic heart disease has actually risen among women aged 35-44 years. We hypothesized that young women with increased CVD risk burden are more likely to misperceive body image and less likely to practice healthful behaviors. Methods: To determine CVD risk burden among young women (aged 18-49 years) of a primarily urban population, 569 women visiting outpatient medical clinics were assessed. Anthropometric measures [height, weight, waist, body mass index (BMI)], attitudes towards weight, and lifestyle behavior were determined. Body image self-perception was assessed using validated silhouette scales. Increased CVD risk burden was defined as presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, and/or obesity. Results: Participants were Hispanic (62.7%; 357/569); non-Hispanic White (20.7%; 118/569); non-Hispanic Black (8.9%; 51/569) and Asian/other ethnicity (7.5%; 43/569); mean age was 35.9 years ± 8.1 and income $39,828 ± $20,229. BMI categories were: obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 , 27.4%; 155/569); overweight (BMI 25.0 - 29.9 kg/m 2 , 29.0%; 164/569); normal (BMI 18.5 - 24.9, 41.2%; 233/569); and underweight (BMI ≤ 18.4; 2.3%; 13/569). Women without CVD risk burden were the reference standard. Nearly half (47.7%; 271/569) had increased CVD risk burden; and 33.5% (190/569) had ≥ 1 CVD risk factor, exclusive of obesity, including hypertension (18.0%), hyperlipidemia (11.5%), current tobacco use (10.2%), and diabetes mellitus (5.8%). Women with increased CVD risk were less likely to correctly identify body size (48.3% vs. 69.4%, p&lt;0.0001). They were more likely to be concerned about weight (82.0% vs. 65.8%, p =0.01) and actively trying to lose weight (77.3% vs. 65.4%, p=0.03). But, they were less likely to read nutrition labels when making food choices (29.4% vs. 17.9%, p=0.03) and more likely to cite cost (18.7% vs. 12.1%, p=0.03) and difficulty implementing a weight loss regimen (22.2% vs. 15.6%, p=0.05) as barriers to losing weight. Most, regardless of CVD risk burden, knew blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar status. However, women with increased CVD risk burden were less likely to know cholesterol level (81.4% vs. 88.8%, p=0.02). Fewer obese women knew that tobacco contributes to CVD risk compared to non-obese women (92.3% vs. 96.6%, p=0.04). Conclusion: Paradoxically, though aware of their CVD risk factors and with heightened weight concerns, young women with increased CVD risk burden misperceive their body size and lack healthy behavior knowledge. A disconnect exists between this group’s recognition of their underlying risk and ability to modify their lifestyle to decrease CVD risk burden.

How will I be when I will grow up? The importance of psychological intervention in pediatric patients to prevent symptoms from becoming chronical

Psychological discomforts in pediatric patients, if not identified, and considered as personality traits can lead to abnormalities in the development. Identifying psychological problems and treating them with psychological intervention could avoid the raise of psychological disease in adulthood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the perception of self-image and interpersonal relationships of children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (chronic pathology); to compare those data with those published in a previous research about enuretic children (functional pathology) and children affected by cleft palate (organic pathology). Forty children were tested using two Graphic Projective Tests: Machover test (Human Figure Drawing Test) and Corman test (Family Drawing Test) in order to assess specific disorders of their personality through the self-image perception and the emotional relationships with other members of family. Children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis show problems about the contact with the external world, underestimation of himself and inadequate perception of himself, exactly like children affected by enuresis and cleft lip and palate. Situation of discomfort, if not taken in consideration and seen as personality traits could easily become an emotional and behavioral chronic psychological disease.

Influence of Cobb Angle and ISIS2 Surface Topography Volumetric Asymmetry on Scoliosis Research Society-22 Outcome Scores in Scoliosis

Study DesignRetrospective sequential patient series. ObjectivesTo establish the relationship between the magnitude of the deformity in scoliosis and patients' perception of their condition, as measured with Scoliosis Research Society-22 scores. MethodologyA total of 93 untreated patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were included retrospectively. The Cobb angle was measured from a plain radiograph, and volumetric asymmetry was measured by ISIS2 surface topography. The association between Scoliosis Research Society scores for function, pain, self-image, and mental health against Cobb angle and volumetric asymmetry was investigated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. ResultsCorrelation of both Cobb angle and volumetric asymmetry with function and pain was weak (all < .23); these correlation values were not statistically significant. Correlation of Cobb angle and volumetric asymmetry with self-image, was higher, although still moderate (−.37 for Cobb angle and −.44 for volumetric asymmetry). Both were statistically significant (Cobb angle, p = .0002; volumetric asymmetry; p = .00001). Cobb angle contributed 13.8% to the linear relationship with self-image, whereas volumetric asymmetry contributed 19.3%. For mental health, correlation was statistically significant with Cobb angle (p = .011) and volumetric asymmetry (p = .0005), but the correlation was low to moderate (−.26 and −.35, respectively). Cobb angle contributed 6.9% to the linear relationship with mental health, whereas volumetric asymmetry contributed 12.4%. ConclusionsVolumetric asymmetry correlates better with both mental health and self-image compared with Cobb angle, but the correlation was only moderate. This study suggests that a patient's own perception of self-image and mental health is multifactorial and not completely explained through present objective measurements of the size of the deformity. This helps to explain the difficulties in any objective analysis of a problem with multifactorial perception issues. Further study is required to investigate other physical aspects of the deformity that may have a role in how patients view themselves.

Do children emotionally rehearse about their body image?

This study examined the association between propensity for emotional rehearsal, body image self-perception and weight status in Chinese Hong Kong pre-adolescents. Children 8-12 years of age (n = 278) completed measurement of body mass index, body image and emotional rehearsal. Multinomial regression analyses revealed that body mass index was positively associated with body image dissatisfaction and a significant predictor of body size estimation. However, only body size underestimation was associated with lower rehearsal tendencies. The prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and body size estimation was also reported for this population. Future research is suggested for greater understanding of emotional coping in body image dissatisfaction in young children.

Self-perception of body image, nutritional status and practice of physical activity of university students from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The present study aimed to verify the perception of body self-image; nutritional status and practice of physical activity in undergraduatestudents in the area of health and education from a university of Rio Grande do Sul State. The sample consisted of31 undergraduate students from the courses of Nutrition, Biology, Education and Physical Education, with a mean age of 23years and 83.9% being female. The Body Shape Questionnaire was used to evaluate the perception of body image. In orderto evaluate the level of physical activity, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – IPAQ short version was used. Thebody mass index was calculated from weight and height. Arithmetic means, standard deviation, minimum and maximumvalues, and median, were calculated using the software Epi Info version 3.3.2. High levels of distortion in the perception ofbody image were observed among the pedagogy students (37.5%). The same was not observed among students of physicaleducation and nutrition, that are courses in which, typically, students are more concerned with this situation. It was alsoobserved that 50% of biology students had moderate body image distortion. In addition, the dissatisfaction with body imagewas more prevalent in women, and this was not related with socioeconomic status. Moreover, it was observed that physicalactivity and nutritional status were positively associated with body image perception. More researches should be conductedin order to elucidate a probable higher prevalence of eating and body image disorders among students.

Perception of Self-image by Pre-teens - The Balance between Real and Ideal

Self-esteem image in pre-teens development is still intensively studied in the speciality literature. The objective of this study is to investigate the physical self-image of pre-teens in the context of adequacy and inadequacy to the ideal self-one. The hypothesis to be tested is that unfavourable self-assessment of physic attractiveness or the inadequacy of the desired pattern can be the sources of devaluation for pre-teens with a low self-esteem. Girls are more dissatisfied than boys with the height they have. Weight is a source of dissatisfaction for both, boys and girls. The work is the product of research conducted within the project PERFORMER - POSDRU/86/1.2/S/62508.

Postoperative perceived health status in adolescent following idiopathic scoliosis surgical treatment: Results using the adapted French version of scoliosis research society outcomes Questionnaire (SRS-22)

Assessing functional outcome from patient-based outcomes questionnaires are essential to the evaluation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgical treatment At the minimum follow-up of 2 years, 45 operated on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients were mailed the French version of the Scoliosis Research Society Outcome Instrument (SRS-22) questionnaires containing items on pain, activities of daily living, and satisfaction. Mean values of the SRS-22 domains were 3,66 for the Pain domain, 3,85 for the Self-perceived image domain, 4,32 for the Function domain, 3,52 for the Mental health domain and 4,12 for the Global satisfaction with management domain. Mean value of the global SRS-22 score was 3,88. We showed no differences in functional SRS-22 health status in patients according to the type of curve (Lenke classification). We showed statistically significant correlations between the gain of Cobb angle and Patients self-image and function domain scores. There was a statistically significant correlation between preoperative Cobb angle and patient satisfaction with management. Even if Function and Self-image scores in our patients are close to control group values, indicating good short to mid-term outcome of surgical treatment, scores for pain and mental health status were significantly lower in patients than controls. Long-term follow-up studies conducted by multiple surgeons over successive generations are mandatory to assess clinical significance of these differences. Level IV. Retrospective study.

81 – Does body image self-perception matches reality in elementary-school children?

81 – Does body image self-perception matches reality in elementary-school children?

Impact of Body Mass Index on Body Image Dimensions: Results from a Body-Image Questionnaire Designed for Dancers

This investigation was conducted to test the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Body Image Questionnaire (MBIQD) designed for dancers. The newly constructed MBIQD was administered to 393 female and male participants (average age 21.8 yrs) from three European countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia). The scale consisted of 43 items in a 5-point response scale. Factorial analysis yielded eight factors (attractiveness, strength, joy, bad health/weakness, flexibility, body efficacy, nervousness, and masculinity) and explained 56.6% of the total variance. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of the items assigned to each of the eight MBIQD subscales was high and satisfactory (from 0.71 to 0.89). The second aim was to identify gender differences within the MBIQD subscales. According to independent-sample t-tests, female dancers showed significantly higher results on the MBIQD scales of joy and flexibility, while male dancers scored significantly higher on the masculinity scale. The third aim was to identify differences between the group of dancers defined by body mass index (BMI) and the eight MBIQD subscales separately by gender. According to the Wilks test, there was a significant multivariate effect for female subjects (F = 2.06, p<0.01) and for male subjects (F = 3.05, p<0.00). According to post-hoc Fisher LSD test, significant differences in BMI groups among female dancers were found in attractiveness, strength, and masculinity MBIQD scales, while the male dancers, divided by BMI, showed significant differences in bad health/weakness, body efficacy, and flexibility MBIQD scales. This is the first research that has reported specific gender differences in body image self-perception among dancers.

Dismorfia muscular: A busca pelo corpo hiper musculoso

Muscle dysmorphia has been identified both in men and women, causing changes in the perception of self image and sociocultural losses and in the health and well being. In this sense, the purpose of this study was to examine the sociocultural and psychological aspects and the use of ergogenic resources related to muscle dysmorphia as well to identify the risks promoted by the disorder. The participants included 20 individuals enrolled by the Internet. We used a questionnaire to gather data and document analysis to interpret the responses. The results showed that concerns about body image generate insecurity, low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority, which would be solved if people had beautiful and strong bodies. Muscle dysmorphia can increase the risk of using anabolic steroids and indiscriminate use of dietary supplements. We conclude that muscle dysmorphia causes suffering, psychological and sociocultural damage, and thus compromises the health of people.

Prática de privação de liberdade em adolescentes: um enfoque psicossociológico

O Estatuto da Crianca e do Adolescente contem artigos reguladores da pratica do ato infracional e dos procedimentos socioeducativos que conduzem o adolescente a reflexao sobre o ato infracional cometido e seu futuro retorno ao convivio sociofamiliar. Objetivou-se apreender as representacoes sociais dos adolescentes em conflito com a lei acerca da pratica socioeducativa com privacao de liberdade. Participaram do estudo 50 adolescentes, os quais responderam a entrevistas com profundidade, as quais posteriormente foram submetidas a Analise de Conteudo. Os resultados evidenciaram sete categorias empiricas: concepcao da pratica socioeducativa de privacao de liberdade; descricao da instituicao; imagem dos profissionais; percepcao da imagem de si; experiencia de vida; e manifestacoes biopsicognitivas e projeto de vida. As representacoes sociais apontaram que a pratica nao socializadora prevaleceu sobre a socializadora. Os participantes demonstraram que, se for justa e humanizada, a pratica socioeducativa privativa de liberdade podera obter exito na ressocializacao do adolescente e na superacao da sua condicao excludente.