Body image construct of Sri Lankan adolescents

Abstract

Introduction "Body image" is more than the visual perception of size and it is probably multidimensional. It is known to influence eating behaviors and self-esteem of adolescents.Although widely studied in developed countries, it has been studied little in Sri Lanka.Objectives This study was designed to translate and culturally adapt a tool to assess dimensions of body image in Sri Lankan adolescents. MethodsThe study was carried out in the Anuradhapura District on school going children in grades nine to eleven. A multidimensional body image questionnaire was translated to Sinhalese language using the nominal group consensus method. The translated version was administered to 278 (114 boys) students after content validation and pre-testing.To assess test-retest reliability, the same questionnaire was administered to the same sample after two weeks. Psychometric properties were assessed using exploratory factor analysis.Results Three-factor model emerged when dimensions in body image were analysed. Both boys and girls had almost identical factor structure. The three dimensions identified were "affective body image", "body perception" and "orientation on body size". All factors had good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha > 0.76 and explained more than 56% of the total variance in both sexes. ConclusionsThe translated body image questionnaire was a valid and reliable tool which can be used in Sri Lankan adolescents. Both genders had a similar, multidimensional body image construct.

Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Adult Men and Women with Distorted Perception of Weight Status: Nationwide Surveys (KNHANES 2016–2018)

“…In this study, among the study subjects corresponding to the low quartile of quality of life, those who recognized that excessive weight control was necessary due to distorted body perception showed lower quality of life in mental health, daily life, sexual relations, and work–process balance. This is consistent with several studies [ 22 , 23 ] stating that distorted body perception reflects negative psychological states such as unhealthy behavior and diet, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts, and was confirmed as an influencing factor for low quality of life.…”

Body image perception and social support as predictors of psychological distress among third trimester pregnant women in Nigeria

“…Sohrabi et al [ 13 ] categorized the body image perception of pregnant women into three categories: symbols from motherhood and vulnerability; feelings towards changes in the body derived from negative feelings towards changes in the skin; unfit, ridiculous-obsessed shape and attention-seeking shape of the body; and attraction category from sexual with beauty attractions. Additionally, Goonapienuwala et al [ 14 ] and Voelker et al [ 15 ] averred that body image, as a multifaceted construct, includes perceptual, cognitive, and affective components regarding one’s own body as well as the bodies of others. Fahami et al [ 16 ] and Plante et al [ 17 ] concluded that women are dissatisfied with their body image, especially in the third trimester, when all parts of the body are affected.…”

Dietary behavior among young people in southern sri lanka: implications for sustainable diet

“…1 Dietary habits of young people is found to be a multidimensional public health issue that encompasses socio-cultural beliefs about foods, affordability and availability of healthy foods, body image and eating disorders. [1][2][3][4][5] Even though the relationship between diet and health is clear, and many countries have introduced and implemented health promotion campaigns for healthier eating, most young peoples' dietary habits are poor. [5][6][7][8][9] Diet and food preferences of young people are largely determined by social, economic, environmental and cultural factors than by their concern for health.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Even though the relationship between diet and health is clear, and many countries have introduced and implemented health promotion campaigns for healthier eating, most young peoples' dietary habits are poor. [5][6][7][8][9] Diet and food preferences of young people are largely determined by social, economic, environmental and cultural factors than by their concern for health. [1][2][3] Although traditional Sri Lankan diet contains plenty of vegetables and rise, dietary behaviors' of Sri Lankan's have been changed drastically during the last few decades as a result of socio-cultural, epidemiological, demographic and economical transitions occurred in the country during that period.…”

“…15,16 It was found that social and gender inequalities, and economic hardships experienced by young people in middle and low-income countries would make them vulnerable to poor dietary habits and food insecurity. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] There is a severe shortage of scientifically sound information on dietary habits and the determinants of sustainable diets in young people in Sri Lanka. Scientific data on dietary habits and related epidemiological, socio-cultural and environmental factors are imperative to develop and successfully implement public health strategies to promote healthy and sustainable dietary behaviors in young people.…”