Body image in a representative sample of overweight, obese and normal weight active older women living in the community: associations with body composition, physical fitness and function

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To compare and examine relationships between body image (BI), body composition and physical function in overweight and normal weight active older women. METHOD: We measured body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WAIST), grip strength (GS), lower limb muscle strength [LLMS], arm curl, balance, step-in-place test (SIPT), usual walk (WALK), fast walking (fastWALK), single chair stand (CHAIRtime) and repeated chair stand (CHAIRreps) in 398 overweight or obese women (67.2 ± 8.5 years; BMI > 27 kg•m 2 ) and 302 women with a BMI < 27 kg•m 2 (67.3 ± 8.5 years). Current (CBI) and ideal body image (IBI), and body dissatisfaction (DS; current -ideal) were determined by participant's responses to standardized silhouettes. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses verified positive (CBI) and negative associations (DS) for balance in obese category. A positive association with WALK and fastWALK was observed for current (normal weight and obesity categories) and IBI (overweight). There were positive associations for SIPT, arm curl and CHAIRreps. CONCLUSION: Physically active older women showed an elevated prevalence of dissatisfaction regardless of BMI which was mediated by age, and associated with worsened physical function; similar associations were seen for current body image.

Body mass index and body image perception in older adults

“…This is contrary to the literature, which suggests a high prevalence of body dissatisfaction, regardless of BMI [7]. The literature suggests that the high prevalence of body dissatisfaction can be the result of worsened physical function and health problems related with age [3].…”

“…The single most consistent risk factor for body dissatisfaction is BMI, and much of the research on body image is based on BMI assessment in adolescent and young adults [6], but a growing body of evidence suggests that although some of the physical changes associated with aging (e.g., increases in body weight, skin wrinkling, reduction in body tone and muscularity) may take people farther away from a socially idealized slender, wrinkle-free, and toned body, but do not inevitably lead to greater body dissatisfaction [7]. On the other hand, there is also evidence suggests that the importance and concerns attached to appearance and body image may be similar in all ages [5].…”

Body image distortion and dissatisfaction in incarcerated women

“…Studies corroborate the lack of association between BIDiss and nutritional status [26], as well as BIDiss [27]. Other researchers, however, showed that women have BIDiss notably due to excess weight [20,27], showing a lack of consensus on the subject.…”

O tema “imagem corporal” nas publicações do Scientific Electronic Library Online – SciELO: revisão integrativa

“…Cada um dos demais autores publicaram um artigo sobre o tema. Dezesseis (61,5%) estudos foram quantitativos 13,17,19,[22][23][24]27,28,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36]38 , sete (26,9%) estudos qualitativos 16,20,21,25,26,37,39 , dentre os quais cinco tiveram como método a revisão de literatura (sistemática ou integrativa) 16,20,21,25,26 . Por fim, três (11,6%) estudos se apresentam como qualiquantitativos 12,18,29 .…”

“…8 22 Analisa as relações entre imagem corporal, composição corporal e função física em mulheres idosas fisicamente ativas que apresentam sobrepeso ou peso normal.…”