Body image dissatisfaction and body mass index in adolescent girls

Adolescence is an important stage of life accompanied by deep physical and psychological changes frequently leading to body image dissatisfaction. Body image dissatisfaction, found to predict the formation of eating disturbaces, psychiatric disturbances and low self- esteem. The present study examined the body image dissatisfaction and body mass index in adolescent girls.

This cross- sectional study was conducted in Isfahan city in 2006. Three hundred & eighty four(384) high school girls were selected through cluster- randomized sampling. Data were collected using demograghic and body image satisfaction questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height were taken by one person and were analysed by SPSS soft ware using descriptive tests, one- way ANOVA and independent t- tests.

By using the reference data of BMI for age, the overall prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among Isfahan high school girls were 7.03%, 9.1% and 1.03% respectively. There was a significant association between body image dissatisfaction and body mass index among the high school girls(P = 0.012).

Compared to most other cities in our country, the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity are lower in Isfahan girls aged 14-18 years but many girls exhibit dissatisfaction with their body image. There was a significant correlation between lower satisfaction with body image and higher body mass index. These findings indicate the importance of Planning for prevention and treatment of body image dissatisfaction.