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Body mass index perception, body image dissatisfaction and their relations with weight-related behaviors among university students
Obesity is becoming increasingly pervasive across the world, in tandem with its relationship with poor body image. In this cross-sectional study by Radwan et al. (2019), the authors investigated the links between body image (BI) and body mass index (BMI) with weight-controlling behaviors in a population of 308 university students (150 males, 18-25 years of age). The participants were evaluated through interviews and questionnaires, providing data on physical activity, socio-demographics, body image dissatisfaction (BID), and the Figure Rating Scale (FRS). The participants were found to be either of normal BMI (56%), overweight/obese (39.5%), or underweight (4.5%). Analysis of the results revealed that most of the students reported dissatisfaction with their body image (58.2% of females and 41.8% of males) and that females favored losing weight through diet over exercise, while males favored weight gain and performing exercise over diet. Furthermore, most of the participants’ perceived BMI was closely related to their actual BMI, a substantial relationship which was carried over to their BID and actual BMI scores i.e., study participants perceived their BMI correctly, and related it to their BID accurately. The authors conclude that their study demonstrates the necessity of enhancing healthy eating practices and physical exercise to help improve BMI, body satisfaction, and shape perception in university students. [NPID: Body image, Body Mass Index, perceived BMI, physical activity, university students, weight control]
Year: 2019
