Body Image Among Female Adolescents

In adolescence, girls are oft en preoccupied with their physical appearance, which can lead to eating disorders. Our objective was to determine diff erences in satisfaction with physical appearance among female adolescents in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in relation to their Body Mass Index (BMI). The survey was conducted among female adolescents aged 16–17 in all secondary schools in Banja Luka, using the modifi ed Eating Attitudes Test - EAT-26 (Garner, Olmsted, Bohr, & Garfi nkel, 1982). Out of 2240 fi rst and second grade female students, 1956 (87.3%) fi lled in the questionnaire. Chi-square test with 95% confidence interval was used to determine whether there was a signifi cant diff erence in adolescents’ satisfaction with their physical appearance in relation to BMI. Out of the 1956 female adolescents who fi lled in the questionnaire, the highest percent (83.4%) had a BMI of 18.5-25 kg/m2, while 150 (7.7%) had a BMI <18.5 kg/m2. Ninety-four percent of adolescents with a BMI <18.5 kg/m2 and of adolescents with a BMI 18.5- 25 kg/m2 reported that they never had the fear of becoming overweight and never were on a diet, which showed a statistically signifi cant diff erence compared to those who felt so sometimes or frequently (χ2=17.6; df=6; p<0.01). Occasional dissatisfaction with their physical appearance and attempts at slimming were reported by 56.7% of adolescents with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 and 60.8% of adolescents with BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2, which showed a statistically signifi cant diff erence compared to those who were never dissatisfi ed with their appearance. Unrealistic ideas about one’s body size can carry diff erent health risks, such as eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia and excessive eating disorder. In order to promote knowledge and positive attitudes about nutrition at an early age, it is necessary to introduce this topic in the school curriculum.