School-Based Interventions Improve Body Image and Media Literacy in Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Body ideals conveyed by the media and by body comparisons often result in body dissatisfaction, which can cause risky health behaviours and eating disorders, especially in adolescents. We conducted a meta-analytic review of existing school-based interventions designed to enhance media literacy in order to reduce body dissatisfaction and to promote a positive body image. We included controlled trials examining children and adolescents from grade five to nine (age 10–15 years) after a manual search and a comprehensive literature search using PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Science, and CENTRAL. We computed average weighted effect sizes (Hedges’ g) with the help of a random effects model and identified seventeen different programme evaluations with 7392 participants. We found a significantly larger effect on positive body image and media literacy in the intervention compared to control groups. However, heterogeneity was substantial for both outcomes. Results suggest that media literacy interventions have the potential to improve media literacy and reduce body dissatisfaction. Interventions that worked with the principle of induction of cognitive dissonance were the most effective.

The Effect of Perceived Optimism on Body Image of Indian Young Adults

Optimism is associated with positive body image as it exerts it’s influence on positive body image through an expectancy judgment about the likelihood of acquiring a feared fat self. The study aims to understand and determine how individuals’ perceived optimism affects body image among young adults. The quantitative study uses an Ex Post Facto Correlational Design conducted on Indian young adults between 18-40 years old. The Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ) and the Positivity Scale were administered to the 508 participants through an online survey format. The quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in measuring the association between perceived optimism and body image. The study findings imply sufficient evidence to conclude a linear relationship between perceived optimism and body image because the correlation coefficient is significantly different from 0. The body image avoidance is weakly but negatively correlated with perceived optimism amongst the participants. This study aids and contributes to the repertoire of body image and positive psychology research. It also helps explore individual differences in the orbits of perceived optimism and body image as lockdown procedures helped alleviate the understanding of the complete psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nature Exposure and Positive Body Image: A Cross–Sectional Study Examining the Mediating Roles of Physical Activity, Autonomous Motivation, Connectedness to Nature, and Perceived Restorativeness

Research shows that nature exposure is directly and indirectly associated with more positive body image, which is an important facet of well-being more generally. In this study, we tested the mediating roles of physical activity in nature, perceived restoration in nature, autonomous motivation, and connectedness to nature in explaining the association between nature exposure and positive body image. An online sample of 924 Lithuanian adults (age M = 40.0 years, 73.6% women) completed a survey that included the Nature Exposure (NE) Scale, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, a measure of frequency of physical activity in nature (PAN), the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2, the Restoration Outcome Scale, and the Connectedness to Nature Scale. Path analysis was conducted to examine hypothesized direct and indirect effects. Results showed that both greater NE (B = 0.564, SE = 0.057, p < 0.001) and autonomy in exercise motivation (B = 0.039, SE = 0.006, p < 0.001) were associated with more frequent PAN. Direct effects from exercise autonomy to nature restorativeness (B = 0.017, SE = 0.006, p = 0.004) and body appreciation (B = 0.041, SE = 0.004, p < 0.001) were observed. Associations were also found between connectedness to nature and body appreciation (B = 0.166, SE = 0.040, p < 0.001), nature restorativeness and body appreciation (B = 0.075, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001), and frequency of PAN and body appreciation (B = 0.064, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001). PAN mediated the relationship between NE and body appreciation. The final model was invariant across place of residence (urban vs. rural) and gender. Including self-determined physical activity in nature may increase the effectiveness of intervention programs aimed at promoting more positive body image.

Comparison of Body Image Perception and Depression in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Non-PCOS Women

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to appraise the relationship between women’s body image perception and depression in case and controls. Methods: In this case-control study 60 polycystic ovarian syndrome patients established agreeing to the Rotterdam criteria and 60 healthy controls of reproductive age group were enrolled. The PCOS patients and healthy controls were evaluated on questionnaire for physical appearance and depression. Body image perception was accessed using the validated Body Esteem Scale. The symptoms of Depression were evaluated with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report. Results: 55% of PCOS patients had depression while 36.7% were found with depression in the control group. In the PCOS group 65% of patients were found with positive body image while 98.3% of patients were found with positive body image. Significant association of study cases group was found with BMI group (p=0.049), diet habit (p=0.013), depression (p=0.044) and body image (p=0.000). Patients with depression are also more likely to have PCOS in comparison with those who haven’t (OR=2.111). Conclusion: There was a significant association of study group with body image perception and depression. Therefore, health of the patients with this set of symptoms is essential to be acknowledged more fully, predominantly in relation to the despair and poor body image. The outcomes of this study foster implications for clinical practice and propose that a multidisciplinary team should be involved in treatment of PCOS. Key words: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), Depression.

Subjective Health, Physical Activity, Body Image and School Wellbeing among Adolescents in South of Sweden

This study aimed to investigate subjective health and its associations with perceived body image (body appearance and body functioning), physical activity, perceived wellbeing in school, perceived family financial situation, and body mass index among 13- to 15-year-old boys and girls. The study was a cross-sectional study performed in four municipalities in Southern Sweden. Data were obtained from questionnaires completed by adolescents (median age 14; range: 13–15) in Sweden (n = 1518, 51% girls), with a participation rate of 73%. Body weight and body height were measured by school nurses and body mass index was calculated. Logistic regression analyses were carried out with subjective health as the dependent variable. Independent variables included in the model were perceived wellbeing in school, perceived family financial situation, perceived body image, physical activity, body mass index, sex, and residency. Variables significantly associated with good subjective health were good wellbeing in school, a perceived good family financial situation, perceived positive body appearance, perceived positive body functioning, being a boy, and high physical activity. Residency and body mass index were not associated with subjective health. Good subjective health is associated with good wellbeing in school, good family financial situation, positive body image, and high physical activity levels. The results highlight the importance of good school climates, the promotion of positive body image, and increased physical activity for adolescents.