Perceptions of the Body and Body Dissatisfaction in Primary Education Children According to Gender and Age. A Cross-Sectional Study

Body image (BI) is a trending topic of study since health problems derived from a negative perception of the body are increasing and affecting people of all ages, with an increasing incidence among children from the age of eight. The objective of this study was to evaluate the current perception of the body against the desired body and the degree of body satisfaction of Galician primary education students. A total of 355 students (167 boys (47%)) between 9 and 12 years old participated (mean = 10.53; SD = 0.84). Sociodemographic data (sex, age, height, and weight) were collected, and the Figure Rating Scale was used. There are statistically significant differences between boys and girls in the current perceived figure (p = 0.003) and in the desired figure (p < 0.001). Depending on age, the differences were in current (p = 0.010) and desired (p = 0.021) body perception. In conclusion, boys perceive themselves as having a larger figure than girls do, but this perception is far from reality according to the body mass index. For the desired figure, both boys and girls want to be slimmer, but girls want a slimmer figure. Regarding age, the current perceived figure size increases with age as it increases in those students dissatisfied with their body.

Does Influencers Popularity Actually Matter? An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Influencers on Body Satisfaction and Mood Among Young Chinese Females: The Case of RED (Xiaohongshu)

Many studies have linked idealized body image on social media to negative psychological well-being among young females. However, social media influencers’ imagery has not attracted much research attention in either the Western or the Asian context. This study aimed to experimentally investigate the impact of high versus low popular social media influencer images on young Chinese females’ body satisfaction and mood. The participants were 420 female RED users (aged 18–35) who were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) the influencer-high group (idealized imagery alongside high engagement metrics); (2) the influencer-low group (the same idealized imagery adjusted for low engagement metrics); or (3) a control set of nature images. The results revealed that the groups exposed to influencer imagery had lower body satisfaction and more negative mood than the control group (nature images). Notably, this comparison showed no significant difference between the low-influencer and high-influencer groups in body satisfaction and mood. Additionally, this effect was moderated by individuals’ self-discrepancy between personal ideals and their own bodies. That is, exposure to idealized body images does not always produce harmful effects. For those with lower self-discrepancy, idealized body posts somewhat positively affected their body satisfaction. The current research contributes to the media effect literature by providing critical new insights into the study of body image in the context of China.

Assessment of the Relationship Between Thinness Expectations, Body Satisfaction and Eating Attitude and Behavior

Background: Body dissatisfaction is more common in adolescents and its prevalence is increasing in developed and developing countries. These situation is associated with unhealthy dieting behaviors. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between thinness expectations, body satisfaction, and eating attitudes and behaviors in interpersonal interaction.Method: This study was conducted on 372 university students. The survey form was prepared using the Google Surveys Program. In the questionnaire form, there are sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, Interpersonal Outcome Expectancies for Thinness (IOET), Nutritional Changes Process Scale (NCPS), and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ).Result: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean total scores of the IOET, BSQ, and NCPS scales according to gender (p > 0.05). According to the NCPS scale sub-dimensions, it was determined that the means scores of dramatic relief and social liberation were higher in females than males (p < 0.05). However, the mean scores of reinforcement management, stimulus control, interpersonal control systems, and substance abuse were lower in females than males (p < 0.05). In addition, when the distribution of thinness was examined in the relationships with family, other family members, teachers, friends, colleagues, and foreigners according to gender, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The findings show that there were moderate and strong positive correlations between the total score of BSQ and NCPS, and IOET total scores, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusion: According to the study results, body shape is important in interpersonal relationships among university students and body dissatisfaction may be related to eating behaviors.

Direct and indirect relationships between social media use and body satisfaction: A prospective study among adolescent boys and girls

Cross-sectional research suggests a small, inverse association between social media use and body satisfaction. However, less is known regarding prospective, bidirectional, or mediating effects. In line with sociocultural theory, this study used a three-wave design to examine direct and indirect effects between social media use and body satisfaction, via thin-ideal and muscular-ideal internalisation and social comparisons. Adolescents ( n = 1911; Mage = 14.27, SD = 1.08) were invited to complete three surveys over 1 year. Cross-lagged panel models indicated acceptable fit for two social media use operationalisations, with better fit statistics for the appearance-focused use rather than photo-based activities model. Despite largely no direct effects, indirect effects were found. Social comparisons mediated the relationships over time, whereby higher social media use predicted higher comparisons, which predicted lower body satisfaction. The reverse direction was also found. Gender invariance indicates that prevention aimed at reducing comparisons may be suitable for boys and girls.

The Relationship of Perceived Body Image, Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Weight Status among Students at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Aim: Identify the relation between poor esteem for body image and weight-related behaviors. The results will help increase awareness and improve students’ lifestyles to have a better body image and achieve ideal body weight. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among King Abdulaziz University medical students (n= 460) between July to the end of August 2019. Data was collected using the International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), figure rating scale (FRS) and analyzed using SPSS software. Result: The results showed that the average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 24.80 ± 11.89. Participant sex was an important factor influencing the prevalence of obesity; male students were more obese than female students with a significant difference (p<0.001). The level of body satisfaction was also affected by gender. Students in preclinical years were more likely to gain weight more than clinical years students. Conclusion: The results show a significant relationship between body satisfaction and gender (P<0.0001) despite having diverse BMIs. Overweight and obese males and females' participants had the lowest body satisfaction. Females who were too thin and had low BMIs described themselves as normal, while males describe themselves as too thin. Conversely, females with high BMIs described themselves as too fat, while males described themselves as normal. This could be due to different factors. Also, underweight females and males have high body satisfaction, which can lead to dangerous behaviors to maintain low body weight which cause negative health consequences.

The Effect of Regional Body Satisfaction on Appearance Interest of Female University Students in Vietnam

The recent economic affluence in Vietnam is leading to a growing interest in beauty. Especially, beauty-related industries, including cosmetic brands, beauty shops and spas are developing, beauty products are becoming more diversified and the interest in appearance is growing. Therefore, this study aims to examine Vietnamese female university students’ interest in physical appearance and the real state of their appearance management behaviors. As for the conclusion of the effect of regional body satisfaction on appearance interest, it can be seen that the higher the satisfaction with the face, the higher the interest in appearance in the northern region. In the central region, higher satisfaction with skin and face means higher interest in appearance. In the southern region, the higher the satisfaction with height, abdomen, weight, and upper body, the higher the interest in appearance. These results can serve as basic data for understanding of the consumer market and analysis of the consumer class in the beauty industry by showing aesthetic consciousness and appearance management behaviors of Vietnamese female university students, who are central consumers of the beauty industry. It is considered there is a need to analyze consumption behaviors, including consumption patterns of Vietnamese female university students in more detail, and further studies on aesthetic consciousness and appearance management behavior patterns among more various types of subjects should be carried out for application to the present beauty industry.