Prevalence Of Body Dissatisfaction Research Articles

Eating disorders, body image dissatisfaction and their association with gluten-free diet adherence among patients with celiac disease

BackgroundConsidering the higher prevalence of psychological problems in patients with Celiac disease (CD), the current study aims to assess the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and body image disturbance in patients with CD and examine the possible correlation between EDs, body image dissatisfaction and distortion, and gluten-free diet (GFD) adherence in these patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 217 patients with CD (18–55 years old) were recruited randomly from the CD registry database. EDs and body image issues were assessed using the 26-item Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and Stunkard Figure Rating Scale (FRS), respectively. Adherence to GFD was evaluated by the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of EDs was 43.5%. Furthermore, the prevalence of body dissatisfaction and distortion was 65.9% and 41.1%, respectively. The logistic regression demonstrated a significant negative association between adherence to the GFD and EDs (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.11–3.91, P = 0.022). However, there was no significant association between following GFD and body image dissatisfaction (OR = 1.70, CI: 0.92–3.17, P = 0.090), and distortion (OR = 0.65, CI: 0.36–1.18, P = 0.163).ConclusionConsidering the high prevalence of EDs in patients with CD and owing to the inverse association between EDs and GFD adherence, nutritionists should consider the psychological barriers in adhering to a GFD when consulting patients with CD.

A pre-post evaluation of the impact of the Embrace Kids film on children's and adults' body image and self-compassion

Given the prevalence of body dissatisfaction among young people, which tends to persist into adulthood, a need exists for large-scale interventions that address this problem. Film has been identified as a resource that is well-suited to large-scale dissemination, which can achieve broad impact and reach. Embrace Kids, a film aimed at improving young people’s body image, is one such resource. To evaluate the film’s impact on body image, 55 children (M = 10.59, SD = 1.49) and 47 adults (M = 43.75, SD = 8.54) were recruited from the Australian general public to complete a brief survey before and after viewing the film. After viewing the film, significant increases in state body appreciation, state functionality appreciation and state self-compassion were reported for children (d = 0.46 – 0.61) and adults (d = 0.88 – 1.08). They supported the safety of the film by indicating that it did not make them more concerned about their appearance. Findings provide initial support for the film as a scalable intervention that can be safely task-shifted to non-professional audiences. Future research directions include comparing the effect of Embrace Kids against a control film, and testing the longitudinal impact of the film on trait body image.

Women Who Experience More Affectionate Touch Report Better Body Satisfaction and Relationship Outcomes

ABSTRACT Affectionate touch (e.g. hugging, handholding) is an essential component of many intimate relationships and is a primary contributor to overall relationship satisfaction as well as sexual satisfaction. Affectionate touch is understood to be a form of non-verbal communication in which the giver is expressing positive feelings toward the receiver. Here, we propose that affectionate touch also positively impacts receivers’ body satisfaction, because affectionate touch is a positive message communicated toward the receiver’s body. In a cross-sectional sample of romantically partnered women (N = 1,156), we assessed the association between affectionate touch frequency and body satisfaction. We also investigated whether affectionate touch is associated with relationship/sexual satisfaction in part because touch helps to improve women’s evaluations of their own bodies. Our results showed that body satisfaction was a significant, partial mediator and a valid path through which affectionate touch shapes relationship quality. Receiving affectionate touch could bolster relationship satisfaction and self-perceptions among women. Given the prevalence of body dissatisfaction amongst women, these results suggest that the underexplored associations between affectionate touch and body satisfaction may have significant impacts on a wide array of future empirical and applied research trajectories.

Body-related bullying, desire to lose weight and negative health behaviours among young people in the United Kingdom: a secondary data analysis

Background: There has been an increase in the prevalence of body dissatisfaction and a desire to lose weight among young people. This trend presents as a concern, particularly at a time of important developmental growth, as well as a period characterised by increasingly autonomous eating habits and other health behaviours. Similar to other countries, body-related (BR) bullying in the United Kingdom (UK) may significantly contribute to young people's desire to lose weight. Therefore, this paper examines the relationships between weight loss desire and a number of health behaviours, as well as BR bullying, among young people who wish to lose weight. Methods: Data were extracted from the 2017 Health-Related Behaviour Questionnaire. A total of 26,911 school-aged young people in Years 8 and 10 (11-16 year olds) were analysed across the UK. Results: Overall, 45.1% of young people expressed a desire to lose weight, with a prevalence rate of 24.7% recorded for those who experienced BR bullying. Young people wishing to lose weight were significantly more likely to skip meals (24.4% vs. 13.2%), smoke (17.3% vs. 13.2%) and consume alcohol (14.7% vs. 10.7%), as compared to those who were not losing weight (p<0.001). Unhealthy food intake was significantly higher in the weight loss-wishing cohort than for those with no desire to lose weight. No significant relationship occurred between weight loss desire and frequent physical activity, while the former was significantly associated with frequent sedentary behaviours (p=0.030). Young people wishing to lose weight, who were the subjected to bullying, were more likely to skip meals, smoke and drink alcohol than the non-bullied cohort (p<0.01). This was true of both males and females, with the exception of alcohol consumption, which manifested for females only. A significant relationship occurred between being bullied and frequent sedentary behaviour in males only (p<0.003). Conclusion: Young people wishing to lose weight are more likely to exhibit negative health behaviours than those who do not wish to lose weight. BR bullying was found to generate greater negative effects in the weight loss-wishing group. Physical and mental health weight management supports are required for young people.

RISK OF EATING DISORDERS AND BODY DISSATISFACTION AMONG GYM-GOERS IN ANKARA, TURKEY

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although regular exercise is widely recommended to promote optimal health, it is thought that gym-goers are at risk for body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Objective: This study assessed the risk of eating disorders and the prevalence of body dissatisfaction in gym-goers enrolled in a gym located in the city of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 206 gym-goers, 102 males (mean age of 25.8±7.86 years) and 104 females (mean age of 26.5±9.07 years), who regularly exercised at least twice a week at this gym during the years 2018 to 2019. Demographic characteristics and exercise status of the participants were collected through face-to-face interviews via a questionnaire form. The REZZY (SCOFF) questionnaire was administered to determine the risk of eating disorders and the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale was administered to determine body dissatisfaction. Results: The mean REZZY score in females (1.4±1.21) was higher than in males (0.8 ± 1.05) (p<0.01). In males, 26 out of 102 (25.5%) had a score indicating a risk of eating disorders. In females, 44 out of 104 (42.3%) had a score indicating a risk of eating disorders. The risk of eating disorders is higher in females than in males (p<0.05). While 49.0% of males stated that their current body size is greater than the ideal body size, 76.0% of females said that their current body size is greater than the ideal body size. Conclusion: Consequently, it was determined that gym-goers were a risk group in terms of eating disorders and body dissatisfaction. Level of Evidence: III; Cross-sectional study.

Risk of eating disorders, changes in salivary cortisol concentrations and nutritional status of adolescents.

The imposition of the thin body as an ideal of beauty and the changes that occur in adolescence lead to a constant concern with adolescents' body weight, putting them at risk for eating disorders. Thus, the study sought to investigate associations between eating disorders and salivary cortisol concentrations, nutritional status and depressive symptoms in female adolescents with bulimia. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1435 adolescents aged 10-19years. The Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) questionnaires were used. A follow-up study was conducted from a random selection of female adolescents diagnosed with Bulimia Development and Well-Being Assessment-(DAWBA) to assess associations with salivary cortisol concentrations and nutritional status. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction among adolescents with symptoms of bulimia was 37%. There was a significant difference between salivary cortisol and bulimia (Risk Group = 0.33 ± 0.20μg/100ml, Diagnostic Group = 0.44 ± 0.21μg/100ml p = 0.040), and correlation positive between the risk of bulimia with symptoms of depression (0.355 p = 0.002) and with Body Mass Index (0.259 p = 0.028). High concentrations of salivary cortisol in bulimic adolescents may be associated with hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and depressive symptoms. Nutritional status indicators cannot be used alone for the diagnosis of bulimia, since cortisol levels seem to be a reliable parameter in the identification of bulimia, provided they are used with other diagnostic criteria. Evidence obtained from cross-sectional study.

Body image dissatisfaction in adolescent girls in puberty

The aim of this study was to analyze body image satisfaction among girls from different pubertal groups using two assessment instruments. The sample consisted of 82 adolescent girls, aged 11 to 14 years, divided into two groups: pre- and post-menarche. The Kakeshita’s Body Image Scale (BIS) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) were used to assess body image dissatisfaction. For comparisons of anthropometric variables between pubertal groups, Student's t-test was used for independent samples. Comparisons between BMI classifications, body image satisfaction and desire for body image change were performed using chi-square and binomial tests for both groups. For the comparison between the instruments, the Kappa coefficient (K) was calculated. The results showed that, for BIS, more than 81% of adolescents showed dissatisfaction, being higher among adolescents in post-menarche. For BSQ, the prevalence of body dissatisfaction was lower, but the results did not confirm those previously observed. In both instruments (BIS and BSQ), there were no differences between groups. However, the study indicated a tendency for post-menarche girls to show greater dissatisfaction in relation to pre-menarche adolescents, while the instruments used do not show agreement in the results.

Self-perceived body image and body satisfaction of adolescents

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate self-perceived body image and body satisfaction of adolescents and their associated factors. Methods: across-sectional study carried out with 200 adolescents from a non-govern-mental organization of Campinas-SP. Self-perceived body image was assessed using a scale of silhouettes and body satisfaction by body areas. Association between sociodemographic and anthropometric data and body image and satisfaction were assessed by logistic regres-sion. Results: seventy percent of normal weight boys and 88% of girls wrongly perceived their nutritional status according to the objective standards. The prevalence of body dissatisfac-tion was 76.5%. Twenty-two percent of adolescents reported dissatisfaction with their body shape. Self-perceived body image was associated with nutritional status (OR= 0.25; CI95%=0.09-0.73), abdominal obesity (Waist/Height ratio- WHR) (OR=26.57; CI95%=3.98-177.18), and gender (OR=2.65; CI95%=1.16-6.05). Conclusions: we identified an important distortion and dissatisfaction with body shape. Girls, overweight/obese adolescents and those with abdominal obesity have more chance to this condition. These findings can subsidize actions that deal with the issue of acceptance of self-image, preventing more serious disorders that may directly affect the health of young-sters.

Prevalência de insatisfação corporal entre adolescentes

Realizar uma busca bibliográfica sobre a prevalência de insatisfação corporal entre adolescentes. Trata-se de uma revisão do tipo integrativa. Para busca e seleção dos estudos utilizou-se as seguintes bases de dados: Pubmed, Scielo e Science direct, totalizando 10 artigos, publicados entre os anos de 2016 a 2019. Em todos os estudos verificou-se que há grande insatisfação corporal entre os adolescentes, que pode ser decorrente da elevada cobrança social de amigos, familiares e até mesmo a forte influência da mídia pela busca do corpo perfeito. É necessário a implementação de programas que visem à promoção da saúde, em especial ao que se relaciona com a percepção da imagem corporal, com ênfase nesse ciclo de vida que é a adolescência.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY DISSATISFACTION, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

In the light of Self-Discrepancy Theory (SDT) and prevalence of body dissatisfaction in the Pakistani culture, the current correlational survey-based research design was aimed to explore the relationship between body dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety among adult males and females. The hypotheses of the study were: (a) there will be a significant relationship between body dissatisfaction, anxiety and depression (b) there will be a significant difference in the level of body dissatisfaction between male and female adults. For this purpose, 343 unmarried young adults (Male n=168 & Female n=175), age ranging from 16-30 years (M=22.07, SD=3.07) were recruited. The Body Dissatisfaction Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were administered on the participants. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (p

Agreement between nutritional status and perception of body image in indigenous Khisêdjê of the Xingu Indigenous Park.

To determine the agreement between body self-image (based on the Stunkard figure rating scale) and nutritional status and to evaluate body satisfaction among the Khisêdjê indigenous people of Parque Indígena do Xingu (Xingu Indigenous Park). A cross-sectional study involving 131 natives aged 20 and older. Data on body image, body mass index and waist circumference were collected. Kappa statistics, χ2 (p < 0.05), crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and Student's t-test were used for data analysis. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was respectively 42 and 5.3%. The percentage of satisfaction with body profile was 61.8% with no difference between the sexes. There was good agreement between actual and ideal self-image (p < 0.001), but poor agreement between actual and ideal self-image with nutritional status for both sexes. A higher prevalence of body dissatisfaction due to overweight was detected in individuals with central obesity and overweight. The results suggest that body self-image evaluated by the Stunkard silhouette scale has little applicability as an indicator of nutritional status among the indigenous Khisêdjê of Xingu Indigenous Park.

Association between dissatisfaction with body image and health-related physical fitness among adolescents

The scope of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and verify the association between dissatisfaction with thinness or with overweight and health-related physical fitness components among adolescents. Participants included 1058 adolescents (570 girls and 488 boys), with mean age of 16.3 (±1.0) years. The investigated variables were dissatisfaction with body image (Figure Rating Scale), and health-related physical fitness: body fat (skin folds), muscle strength (handgrip strength) and cardiorespiratory fitness (mCAFT test). The association of body image and the health-related physical fitness variables was tested by Multinomial Regression analysis. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 75.2% (girls = 79.5%; boys = 70.3%). Girls and boys with high body fat were less likely to be dissatisfied with thinness and more likely to be dissatisfied with overweight. Those who needed to improve muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were more likely to be dissatisfied with thinness and with overweight, respectively. In conclusion, physical fitness was associated with body image, with the adolescents with less healthy conditions of the components being more dissatisfied.

Prevalence of body dissatisfaction and its effects on health-related quality of life among primary school students in Guangzhou, China

BackgroundThe relationship between body dissatisfaction (BD) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been well documented in adolescents and adults but is less clear in children, particularly in China. The aims of this study were to describe body image perception and dissatisfaction and to examine their effects on HRQoL among primary school students in Guangzhou, China.MethodsA total of 5734 children aged 8–12 years from 29 schools completed self-report questionnaires, which included the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 for measuring HRQoL and Ma figural stimuli for measuring BD. Based on their level of BD, the children were divided into three groups: no dissatisfaction, mild dissatisfaction and moderate or high dissatisfaction. Based on the children’s perceptions of their own body image, the groups were also categorized into just right, too fat and too thin groups. Height and weight were objectively measured using standardized methods, and a BMI z-score was derived using the age- and sex-specific WHO references from 2007 for children aged 5–19 years. Weight status was classified as underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese.ResultsA total of 78.10% of children aged 8–12 years in Guangzhou had different levels of BD; boys had slightly higher levels BD than girls (p < 0.01), and obese children demonstrated the highest degree of BD (p < 0.01). However, BD levels did not differ significantly according to age (p = 0.194). Gender differences in body image perceptions were only found in children with a healthy weight (p < 0.01), but age differences in body image perception were present in both children with a healthy weight (p < 0.05) and underweight children (p < 0.05). Of the children with a healthy weight who were dissatisfied with their body image, 65.54% of the boys wanted to be heavier, whereas 52.95% of the girls wanted to be thinner (p < 0.01), and older children were more inclined to perceive themselves as too fat (p < 0.01). After controlling for the influence of confounding factors, significant trends for lower HRQoL scores with increasing BD levels persisted in all domains (p < 0.01).ConclusionsBD is as common in children as in adolescents and adults and might be independently associated with HRQoL impairment. The present findings suggest that the current epidemic of BD is a threat to the health of primary school children in China, and prevention programmes for this population should be implemented in the future.

Part of the problem or part of the solution? Plastic surgeons and body image dissatisfaction

The prevalence of body dissatisfaction amongst people of all ages is increasing year on year. A substantial body of evidence now attests to a range of negative impacts on psychological wellbeing and on key areas of living, including health, education, work and relationships. This article considers why this social issue is worthy of attention from plastic surgeons and their teams and outlines ways in which the profession might contribute to a collective response. Suggestions include education to enhance understanding of the psychological factors involved in seeking and responding to appearance-enhancing surgery, training to improve standards of clinical practice (including patient selection, assessment and follow-up; promoting fully informed shared treatment decision making; the routine collection of pre and post procedural data) and the adoption of socially responsible business practices.&#x0D;

Body dissatisfaction and its relationship with overweight, sedentary behavior and physical activity in survivors of breast cancer.

This study aimed to verify the prevalence of body satisfaction in breast cancer survivors and the association of this variable with overweight, sedentary behavior and physical activity in this population. This is a cross-sectional study realized in Presidente Prudente-Brazil. Breast cancer survivors participated in this study. Questionnaires were used to obtain data on socioeconomic status, body dissatisfaction, sedentary behavior and level of physical activity. The association between body dissatisfaction and the independent variables was verified through binary logistic regression in the unadjusted model and model adjusted by socioeconomic level. A total of 102 breast cancer survivors participated in this study with a mean age of 58.2 (±10.3) years. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 75.7%. Body dissatisfaction was higher in women with higher BMI (pvalue = 0.003) and in woman with high sedentary behavior (p-value = 0.049). Women with overweight had 7.87 times more chance of presenting body dissatisfaction. Women who reported hormone therapy were approximately 3 times more likely to be dissatisfacted with their body. Body dissatisfaction was associated with lower age, high sedentary behavior and overweight in breast cancer survivors in the unadjusted analysis. When adjusted for socioeconomic status, only the variables of overweight and hormone therapy were associated with body dissatisfaction.

Body Weight Concern and Belief among Adolescent Egyptian Girls.

BACKGROUND:Body weight concern and belief in adolescent females are of great importance. They are the keys to successful dietary interventions including dietary habits’ modifications to practice a healthy diet. This critical phase of transition from childhood to adulthood is the most sensitive stage of behavioural rectification.AIM:This study was conducted with the aim to figure out the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and the association of body image satisfaction and believe with body mass index in adolescent girls aged 16-18 years.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Two hundred and three Egyptian adolescent females were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Their mean age was (17.4 ± 0.64) years old. Self-administered questionnaires about the students’ body satisfaction and weight belief were answered by the candidates. Their body mass index was calculated. Also, sociodemographic data were collected. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 16.0. Chi-square test was conducted for the variables.RESULTS:Sixty-eight percent of the students were within normal weight, 3.3% were underweight, while 18.2% and 10.5% were overweight and obese respectively. Body dissatisfaction was prevalent among 37.4%. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was higher in both obese and underweight candidates reaching (93.8% and 80%) respectively. This reflects students’ awareness of their body shape.CONCLUSION:More than one-third of adolescent females were dissatisfied with their body image. The subjective belief about self-body image matched the objective Body Mass Index measurements.

Male body dissatisfaction scale (MBDS): proposal for a reduced model.

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the male body dissatisfaction scale (MBDS) in Brazilian and Portuguese university students; to present a reduced model of the scale; to compare two methods of computing global scores for participants' body dissatisfaction; and to estimate the prevalence of participants' body dissatisfaction. A total of 932 male students participated in this study. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the scale's psychometric properties. Multi-group analysis was used to test transnational invariance and invariance in independent samples. The body dissatisfaction score was calculated using two methods (mean and matrix of weights in the CFA), which were compared. Finally, individuals were classified according to level of body dissatisfaction, using the best method. The MBDS model did not show adequate fit for the sample and was, therefore, refined. Thirteen items were excluded and two factors were combined. A reduced model of 12 items and 2 factors was proposed and shown to have adequate psychometric properties. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between the methods for calculating the score for body dissatisfaction, since the mean overestimated the scores. Among student participants, the prevalence of body dissatisfaction with musculature and general appearance was 11.2 and 5.3%, respectively. The reduced bi-factorial model of the MBDS showed adequate validity, reliability, and transnational invariance and invariance in independent samples for Brazilian and Portuguese students. The new proposal for calculating the global score was able to more accurately show their body dissatisfaction. No level of evidence Basic Science.

Association Between Internet Use and Body Dissatisfaction Among Young Females: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey.

BackgroundRecent research suggests Internet exposure, including Facebook use, is positively correlated with body dissatisfaction, especially among girls and young women. Canada has one of the highest Internet access rates in the world, yet no previous study has examined this relationship using nationally representative data.ObjectiveOur objective was to evaluate the relationship between Internet use and body dissatisfaction among a national, population-based sample of Canadian females 12-29 years of age.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2011-2012. Body dissatisfaction was measured using a 5-point Likert scale and defined as “very dissatisfied/dissatisfied” with one’s body. The explanatory variable was time spent using the Internet per week in the past 3 months, ranging from none/<1 hour to >20 hours. We used multinomial logistic regression to investigate whether greater Internet use was associated with increasing odds of being very dissatisfied/dissatisfied, neutral, or satisfied with one’s body, using very satisfied as the referent. Probability survey sampling weights were applied to all analyses.ResultsOf 2983 included participants, sampled to represent 940,786 young Canadian females, most were 20-29 years old (61.98%) and living in households with an annual income Can $80,000 or more (44.61%). The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 14.70%, and 25- to 29-year-olds were more likely than 12- to 14-year-olds to be very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with their body (20.76% vs 6.34%). Few (5.01%) reported none/<1 hour of Internet use, over half (56.93%) reported 1-10 hours, and one-fifth (19.52%) reported spending >20 hours online per week. Adjusting for age and income, the odds of being very dissatisfied/dissatisfied, relative to very satisfied, were greater in the highest versus lowest Internet use group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.03, 95% CI 1.19-7.70). The AORs for this level of body dissatisfaction increased across increasing levels of Internet use, ranging from 0.88 (95% CI 0.35-2.21) to 3.03 (95% CI 1.19-7.70). Additionally, those who spent 11-14 hours online were more likely to be neutral (AOR 3.66, 95% CI 1.17-11.45) and those who spent 15-20 hours online were more likely to be neutral (AOR 4.36, 95% CI 1.18-16.13) or satisfied (AOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.14-7.01) with their bodies, relative to very satisfied, compared with those spending no time or <1 hour online.ConclusionsA substantial proportion of Canadian females 12-29 years of age spent large amounts of time (>20 hours) on the Internet each week, and body dissatisfaction was significantly more likely among this group. Those who spent 11-20 hours online were also more likely to be less satisfied with their bodies. Efforts are needed to support girls and young women to achieve and maintain a positive body image in today’s digital age.

Factors associated with body image dissatisfaction in Portuguese adolescents: obesity, sports activity and TV watching

&lt;p&gt;This cross-sectional study intended to determine the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and associated factors in Portuguese adolescents (N=529, 10-18 years, 53.7% male and 46.3% female). The prevalence of body dissatisfaction (estimated through Collins's silhouettes) was 58%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the variables associated were: obesity, watch TV over 2 hours/day and practice sport activities 4 or more days/week. In male, obesity and watch TV over 2 hours/day were related to body dissatisfaction and among female only obesity had statistical significance. It is necessary to considered different public health interventions for men and women in order to reduce this high body image dissatisfaction.&lt;/p&gt;

Self-Esteem and Body Image Perception in a Sample of University Students

Problem Statement: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the relationship established between self-esteem and body image dissatisfaction, as subjective variables among young, female Romanian university students. Purpose of Study: We hypothesize that young women’s body dissatisfaction is related to their self-esteem level. The second purpose of this study is to verify whether self-esteem level and body size acceptance, which are subjective variables, are significantly correlated with BMI as an objective variable. Subsequently, we intend to estimate which range self-esteem in our research group is determined by self-perception of the body and what role BMI plays in this equation. Methods: The data were collected using measurements and questionnaires from a random sample of 160 female students (19-21 y.o.) assumed to be healthy and educated, with constant physical activity and having an urban lifestyle. Using descriptive statistics for each variable, we analyzed summaries of the sample and the collected data. For pares of variables we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), and we tested its statistical significance using the “t” test. Findings and Results: The BMI mean value – 20.93 kg/cm2 (SD = 3.30) is equivalent to a slander figure, corresponding to an average height of 1.65 m (SD = 0.06) and an average weight of ~ 57 kg (56.99 kg; SD = 9.70). A prevalence of body dissatisfaction was reported, with 79% of girls reporting being unpleased with their physical appearance. Self-esteem and body dissatisfaction were in a significant negative correlation: r (158) = - 0.36, p< .0005. We found a consistent, statistically significant correlation between BMI and body dissatisfaction (r (158) = 0.56, p< .0005). An important part (31%) of body dissatisfaction is determined by BMI and subsequently by weight and fat deposits. Conclusions and Recommendations: Due the statistical correlations calculated for self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction and BMI, we can conclude that selfesteem is better correlated with other subjective parameters (body image) than with objective and relatively stable measurements (BMI in our research). BMI values are useful predictors of body dissatisfaction risk among young females. Physical activity results in certain improvements in the physical and psychological parameters researched in the present paper. Therefore, we made some recommendations regarding motivation, exercise enjoyment and communication techniques aimed at promoting physical activities among young women. Key words: Weight; body dissatisfaction; cultural patterns; physical activity; self-image distortion.