Alterações na imagem corporal entre adolescentes do sexo feminino e fatores associados

Body image alterations among female adolescents and associated factors

Abstract

Objective: To assess body image alterations and associated factors among teenage girls. Methods: A representative sample,
stratifi ed in accordance with public and private school system, covered 705 students enrolled in the fi rst year of the high
schools of Belo Horizonte, Minas gerais State, Brazil. The validated Brazilian version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ
34) was used, translated into Portuguese, with anthropometric assessments (weight and height) classifi ed through the BMi
/ Age cut-offs established by the CdC (2000). Results: Although most (81.7%) of the sample was eutrophic, a prevalence
rate of 27.2% was found for signifi cant (moderate or severe) body image distortion. Signifi cant associations were noted
between dissatisfaction with body image and menarche age, school type and BMi, as well as enjoyment and involvement
with exercise. A multi-variant analysis showed protection against body image dissatisfaction among low-weight girls (oR=0.08; [iC 0.01-0.61]), with higher dissatisfaction rates among private school pupils. Conclusion: Together with other
studies in the literature, these data underscore the importance of planning and evaluating intervention programs targeting
this segment, in order to enhance acceptance of their own bodies.