Factors Influencing Body Image Perception of University Students in Ghana

This study aimed to find out the perception of University of Cape Cost students about their body image and the factors which influenced their body image perception. Cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A sample of 380 students was used for the study through the proportional stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected by using questionnaire adapted from the instrument of Pop (2016). A Cronbach co-efficient alpha of 0.821 was obtained indicating that the instrument was reliable. Mean and standard deviation were used in analysing the data. The study revealed that the respondents did not see themselves as having the perfect body shape, were not satisfied body shape and size and were not satisfied with their weight. Overall, the respondents had poor body image. The study revealed also that media and peer influences were the main factors which influenced body image perception among the students. The other identified factors were society and cultural background, family members and partners. It was recommended that university authorities should organise outreach programmes for students on how to improve their self-esteem and self-image so that the incidence of poor body image can be reduced.

A case study on the assessment of perception towards body image and nutritional status among girl students studying in a district college in West Bengal

Students, mainly girl students, are the future of our society. Hence, it's most important to look into the critical aspects like health, education, self-respect, and earning opportunity. Women and children are the vulnerable sections worldwide. Data shows that young adolescent girls, including college students, usually suffer from anemia, hair and skin issues, obesity or underweight issues, and more. Additionally, urban girls are also psychologically affected due to their perception of body image and overall improper nutritional status. Our study is a survey-oriented study where a simple random sampling method has been used. The survey was conducted in a district girls' college in West Bengal for two days in October 2018. Two dietitians, two nutrition subject experts, and one homeopathic doctor were present with the pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires format duly filled by each respondent. 110 interested girl students studying graduation participated in the primary health cum nutrition screening. BMI calculation through height and weight measurements, screening of nails, hair, skin, tongue, dietary habits, and basic nutrition knowledge assessments were made on the spot. Altogether, data was collected through the dichotomous questionnaires based on nutrition, personal health, and hygiene, followed by subjective opinions and perceptions of the participants' body image. SPSS version-16 was applied for statistical analysis. Twelve attributes were used in the dichotomous questionnaires that found 67% were overweight cum obese. The study revealed 12% anemic, 13% excess hair loss, 62% skin conditioning issues, 65.4% acne or pimples,65% menstruation issues, and 4.5% depression. The study analyzed all the personal attributes to assess their image perception and nutritional status as well. Image complexion is not always essential, but some participants expressed their feeling about their improper appearance. Above all, everyone accepted that proper nutrition is always a significant factor for good health.

Urban Tourism Destination Image Perception Based on LDA Integrating Social Network and Emotion Analysis: The Example of Wuhan

Tourism destination image perception aims to depict the urban tourism image from the perspective of the perception of tourists, which, therefore, sheds new light on the advancement and innovation of urban tourism. The model proposed in this study can effectively describe the image perception of a tourism destination, with its research conclusions providing a vital referential basis for the sustainable development of urban tourism. Combined with LDA, we construct the research framework of tourism destination image perception and then take the online comments of popular scenic spots in Wuhan on Ctrip Travel as an example. The results show that four aspects are included in tourists’ perception of the city image of Wuhan: experience, history culture, leisure service, and tourist destination. Among them, the social network of the experience dimension is most closely related. In addition, emotion analysis illustrates that tourists’ emotional tendencies tend to be positive under the four perceptual dimensions.

Body Schema Self-Awareness and Related Dream Content Modifications in Amputees Due to Cancer

Purpose: the evaluation of body image perception, pain coping strategies, and dream content, together with phantom limb and telescoping phenomena in patients with sarcoma who underwent surgery for limb amputation. Material and Methods: consecutive outpatients were evaluated at T0 (within 3 weeks after surgery) and T1 (4–6 months after surgery) as follows: demographic and clinical data collection; the Groningen Questionnaire Problems after Arm Amputation; the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory; the Body Image Concern Inventory, a clinical trial to identify telescoping; and a weekly diary of dreams. Dream contents were coded according to the Hall and Van de Castle coding system. Results: Twenty patients completed the study (15 males and 5 females, mean age: 53.9 ± 24.6, education: 7.8 ± 3.4). All subjects experienced phantom limb and 35% of them experienced telescoping soon after surgery, and 25% still after 4–6 months. Both at T0 and T1, that half of the subjects reported dreams about still having their missing limbs. At T1 the patients’ perceptions of being able to deal with problems were lower, and pain and its interference in everyday life were higher yet associated with significant engagement in everyday activities and an overall good mood. The dream content analysis highlighted that males were less worried about health problems soon after amputation, and women showed more initial difficulties that seemed to be resolved after 4–6 months after surgery. Conclusions: The dream content analysis may improve clinicians’ ability to support their patients during their therapeutic course.

Uncovering motives and rivalry of China-Australia amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pacific region

The rivalry between China and Australia in the Pacific region shows high tension. This rivalry has increasingly intense in the form of providing assistance to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, where both countries have various motives of interest by providing the assistance. This article aims to describe the economic and political motives of China and Australia in order to provide assistance in handling COVID-19 to countries in the Pacific region. This article used a descriptive method by collecting several sources from books, journals, official documents, and scientific articles on the internet. It finds that China and Australia have economic and political-security motives from the assistance provided to countries in the Pacific region. The large natural resources in the Pacific region and its transformation into a world maritime trade route become the economic motives. The political motives for China are the principle of “One China” and a “Good Image/Perception” for China, while the political motive for Australia is strengthening Australia’s solidarity in the Pacific region. This article concludes that China’s presence in the Pacific region, which includes assistance in combatting COVID-19 and other concerns, puts China a threat to Australia, making the rivalry between the two countries is no longer inevitable.

Psychophysiological and ergonomic aspects of visual image perception formed by technical vision means

The subject of research is establishing psychophysiological regularities of technical (instrumental) means for representing the out-of-cockpit space and objects for solving the problems of piloting and spatial orientation used by flight personnel. In flight tests carried out on helicopters equipped with optical-television and thermal television systems, scientific data are obtained, indicating the regulatory influence of pilots’ spatial orientation image on the piloting efficiency and safety. The psychophysiological possibilities and limitations of using technical vision aids are established, and ergonomic requirements for their technical characteristics are formed. The research results provided the basis for making technical specifications for helicopters of a new generation, and can be useful in designing the information field of aircraft for various purposes.

Changes in Weight, Body Image Perception and Self-Efficacy: A Study on Italian Adolescents during the Pandemic Period

The lockdown period in Italy, due to Covid-19 government restrictions, caused sedentary behavior and a reduction in physical activity, with an increase in body weight and a change in body perception. Body image includes beliefs about one’s appearance. Women tend to exhibit poor body image compared to men; if we consider adolescence, this difference tends to be greater. In addition, only a small percentage of adolescents believe their body image to be adequate. Given that adolescence represents one of the periods with the highest level of physical change, including changes in weight, height, and body shape, we wanted to study how self-efficacy can be affected by body image. Studies have shown that self-efficacious students tend to be more persistent in the face of unexpected difficulties, particularly important in the current pandemic conditions. In our study, we analyze the relationship between the variation of perceived weight after two months of lockdown, and Self-efficacy, mediated by body image perception in a sample of Italian adolescents. Simple mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS 3.5 for SPSS 27. Two-hundred and fifty high school students from northern Italy took part in the study (82% female, with a mean age of 16 years ±1,43). The data confirmed a partial mediation effect of body image perception. These results highlight how body image assumes significance for one of the most relevant developmental tasks for adolescents related to evaluation and self-perception affecting their self-efficacy, which is also a predictor of their academic achievement. We hope that studies like these can support the importance of interventions aimed at promoting well-being among adolescents, specifically regarding aspects of physical and motivational self-evaluation.