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.

Alexithymia and Body Image in Saudi Arabian Females (University Students): Preliminary Data

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Alexithymia has been the focus of much recent research in relation to emotional regulation and eating problems amongst psychological disorders. It is dealing with difficulties in processing, expressing, and awareness of emotion. Body image has also been researched, especially amongst women, and its relation emotion. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this exploratory study is to examine the presence of alexithymia and how this is related to body image amongst a group of female Saudi University students. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> 152 Arabic female students from a local University participated in the study. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20 Arabic), the Therapeutic Alexithymia scale (PTA Scale) short scale, body image scale, and figure body image scale were all used in the study. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The results showed that there is significant correlation between TAS and body image scale. Further, results showed that body image scale is best predictor of alexithymia in regression analysis. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Alexithymia has not been studied in university students in KSA. We also explored its relationship to body image and found there is a significant correlation. Alexithymia is present and needs much research in this sample and beyond, in both clinical and non-clinical groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This is the first study in an Arabic population to show the alexithymia is prevalent amongst this sample and it is significantly related to poor body image. Further studies are suggested to explore further psychological variables related to body image and eating problems, as well as on clinical samples is indicated.

BODY IMAGE IN DIABETES MELITUS PATIENTS WITH ULCUS DIABETIC IN GRESIK

Introduction: Indonesia is ranked 4th in the world for the number of diabetics according to WHO, and most of diabetics experience complications, one of which is ulcer diabetikum. This can be a trigger for the emergence of body image disorders from diabetics, so researchers need to know the picture of ulcus sufferers' body image to later be mapped and make it easier in subsequent handling. The research objective is to describe the image of body image in patients with diabetes mellitus with ulcus complications. Physical changes in the body can affect body image and self-esteem Methods: Design of this study used a descriptive research design, the population in this study were all patients who have diabetes mellitus with ulcus diabeticum in Ibnu Sina Hospital Gresik regency with a sample of 20 respondents, samples were taken by using purposive sampling technique. Data collection using questionnaires with 15 multiple choices question. Furthermore, the data were analyzed with coding, scoring, tabulating presentatif, and described. Results: The results showed a total of 20 respondents obtained ii'om 5 respondents (25%) have a good body image, 7 respondents (35%) had a poor body image and 8 respondents (40%) who did not have a good body image. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study indicate that in patients with diabetes mellitus who are already experiencing complications of ulcus diabetic almost half of respondents do not have a good body image, and a small proportion of respondents have a good body image. This is due to several factors, namely the respondents admitted that the wounds on his legs is a sign of personal failure on him therefore to improve body image and the changing assessment of the physical condition and provide social support.

Body Image and Eating Disturbances in Children: The Role of Self-Objectification

Self-objectification has been implicated in the development of body image disturbances and disordered eating among adults and adolescents. Empirical research exploring these associations among children is limited. Given body image and eating disturbances have been observed in a significant proportion of children, elucidating the factors associated with these disturbances among members of this population segment is important to informing prevention and intervention efforts. Accordingly, we cross-sectionally examined the association between self-objectification and body image and eating disturbances in 219 Australian 6- to 11-year-olds (57% classified as female children; average age = 8.37 years, SD = 1.42). Significant associations were observed between measures of self-objectification and body surveillance; body surveillance and both body shame and weight/shape concern; and weight/shape concern and dietary restraint. Results suggest early interventions targeting poor body image may need to address self-objectification, although further research is needed to firmly establish self-objectification as a risk factor for poor body image in children. Practitioners could utilize resources specifically developed for children, which encourage positive body esteem, build body confidence, support healthy relationships with food and exercise, and promote activities encouraging individuals to be attuned to how their bodies feel rather than how they look.

Sexual (dys)functioning is related to drive for thinness, not drive for muscularity

Background Negative body image can result in sexual dysfunction for both women and men. Drive for thinness, drive for muscularity and drive for leanness have all been associated with poor body image. However, research to date has not examined which is the strongest predictor of sexual problems in each gender. Methods: The present study used measures of drive for muscularity and drive for thinness simultaneously to predict sexual functioning in both genders. Participants (n = 519) completed measures of drive for thinness, drive for muscularity, sexual esteem, sexual assertiveness, discomfort exposing their bodies during sex and genital satisfaction. The interaction between drive for thinness and drive for muscularity was used to approximate drive for leanness. Results: Drive for thinness, not drive for muscularity (or any combination of the two), predicted men’s and women’s sexual problems. Conclusions: We add to the growing body of literature on the destructive nature of excessive drive for thinness, and highlight that it may be a core factor in promoting and maintaining men’s (as well as women’s) sexual problems.

Scar satisfaction and body image in thyroidectomy patients: prospective study in a tertiary referral centre

Background:This study is the first to evaluate scar satisfaction and body image in thyroidectomy patients using validated assessment tools.Methods:A total of 123 thyroidectomy patients were recruited over 8 months. Both patients and clinicians completed assessment tools that included: the Manchester Scar Scale (to measure scar perception), Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to assess body image), Body Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to screen for body dysmorphic disorder) and EQ-5D (to measure life quality). A separate image panel comprising experts and non-experts assessed 15 scar photographs. The results were analysed using non-parametric descriptive statistics.Results:Poor body image was associated with poor scar perception (ρ = 0.178,p= 0.05). Poor life quality correlated with poor scar perception (ρ = −0.292,p= 0.001). Scar length did not affect scar perception. Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among patients was found to be 8.94 per cent, which is higher than general population rates.Conclusion:Negative body image and life quality impact negatively upon scar perception.

Body Image

It has often been wrongly assumed that people with disabilities have poor body image. The purpose of this chapter is to review the body image research involving individuals with impairments and investigating if they are dissatisfied with their appearance. People with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, blindness, and amputations are all very different, and their impairments are likely to differ in many other respects that can play a role in body image self-perceptions. The lack of unanimity across the research reviewed here suggests that disability type, disability severity, visibility, duration, congenital versus acquired factors, age, gender, ethnicity, social support, and self-efficacy are all important considerations that can moderate and mediate the link between disability and body image. Researchers are urged to use theory to guide their research and to consider nontraditional approaches to the study of body image. For instance, researchers studying positive body image understand that this does not comprise simply the absence of negative body image cognitions and have examined the role of body appreciation and body acceptance.

"All About That Bass’ and Photoshopping a Model’s Waist: Introducing Body Image Law"

When women see images of extremely thin women, their body image may suffer as a result. Their poor body image can develop into an eating disorder. A handful of governments took action to try to stop models who have BMIs below a specific number from working and/or require a warning on photoshopped images (that modify models to make them appear thinner). The Authors of this article (“Authors”) created a term to apply to this newly developing area of law: Body Image Law. The Authors argue that there are some areas in which the actions that governments took in Body Image Law may be lacking: insufficient sanctions in some jurisdictions, using BMI solely to assess models’ fitness to work and a failure to address: (i) the tiny sample sizes that fashion designers provide to models to wear and (ii) using the term ‘plus size’ beside images of certain models. This is the first scholarly article known to the Authors to create a term that applies to this newly developing area of law.