Body image dissatisfaction among adolescents from a small town: Association with gender, age, and area of residence. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2011v13n3p202

A high prevalence of body image dissatisfaction has been observed among adolescents over the last decades. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between body image dissatisfaction and demographic factors in adolescents. The sample consisted of 405 boys and girls (247 from an urban area and 158 from a rural area) aged 14 to 17 years enrolled in public schools of a small-sized municipality. The demographic variables analyzed were gender (male, female), age (14-15 years, 16-17 years), and area of residence (urban, rural). The perception of body image was evaluated using a figure rating scale. The prevalence of body image dissatisfaction was 56.5%. Both girls (26.5%) and boys (39.5%) wished to have a larger body silhouette. An association was observed between body image dissatisfaction and gender, with boys showing a 1.24 times higher chance (95%CI: 1.05-1.47) of body image dissatisfaction than girls. The prevalence of body image dissatisfaction is high even among adolescents from small-sized municipalities. Body image dissatisfaction is more prevalent among boys. Healthcare workers and teachers should be aware of the importance to encourage youngster to better understand themselves and their body and to reflect about current body images.