Determinants of body satisfaction in adolescents
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of disorders associated with body image has increased considerably. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of body satisfaction in adolescents from La Rioja, as well as the determinants of physical and psychosocial health, lifestyle habits and sociodemographic factors associated with it.
Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 761 students (14.51 ± 1.63 years old) from 25 educational centres in a northern region of Spain. The data were collected through a battery of scientifically validated instruments (tests and questionnaires) that assessed body satisfaction, health-related quality of life, self-esteem, physical activity engagement, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, hours of nightly sleep, body mass index, maximum oxygen uptake, academic performance and various sociodemographic factors of the participants were analysed for all participants. Body satisfaction was evaluated through the method described by Stunkard and Stellar, based on the identification of the perceived and desired silhouette. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with body satisfaction.
Results: 59.8% of adolescents were dissatisfied with their body image, with 42.7% wishing they were thinner and 17.1% fatter. Adolescents dissatisfied with their body image reported lower levels of physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, health-related quality of life, self-esteem, and maximum oxygen uptake. In addition, this dissatisfaction was greater among older adolescents, migrants, girls, overweight and non-participants in sports activities. Finally, gender, health-related quality of life, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, body mass index, cardiorespiratory capacity, and academic performance were factors associated with the desire to be slimmer. However, these factors varied according to gender.
Conclusions: Both lifestyle and different indicators of physical and psychological health turn out to have a key interaction in the body satisfaction of adolescents.
