Body image perception and body dissatisfaction among rural Sri Lankan adolescents; do they have a better understanding about their weight?

Abstract

Introduction Adolescents have high vulnerability for body image distortions which may result in many psychological and physical problems.Objectives This study aimed to determine body image perception and dissatisfaction among rural schooling adolescents in Sri Lanka.Methods Adolescents (aged 13-16 years) were selected using probability-based sampling framework. Selfadministered figure rating scale was used to assess perceived current (PCBS) and ideal (IBS) body size and body discrepancy score (BDS = PCBS -IBS). Pubertal stage was assessed with pubertal development scale. Anthropometry was done according to WHO guidelines.Conclusions Body dissatisfaction is evident even among rural adolescents, affecting boys more than girls. Many students show a desire to have a larger body size than their current. This study also provides valid and reliable tools to assess body dissatisfaction and pubertal development in Sinhala speaking adolescents.

Adolescent male genitalia dissatisfaction

“…Adolescence is a critical period for body image development because of the various social, cultural, physical, and psychological changes occurring between the ages of 12 years and 18 years. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 …”

“…Body image can be modulated by different aspects of social media; adolescents have access to information on the Internet that can give a distorted view of normality and they are often bombarded with increasingly extreme images. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 …”

Body image dissatisfaction and its determinants in urban Sri Lankan adolescents

“…Simple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the determinants of dissatisfaction. Independent variables were gender, father's occupation (socioeconomic status proxy variable), ethnicity as per prior knowledge [10,18]. All variables with a p-value less than 0.1 were included in multivariate regression analysis.…”

“…Recent studies had reported regional differences (rural vs. urban) in body image dissatisfaction [8]. It appears that effect of many other factors such as socioeconomic position and gender are still unclear [9,10,11]. In a study among Sri Lankan rural adolescents, males had poor satisfaction compared to females [10].…”

“…It appears that effect of many other factors such as socioeconomic position and gender are still unclear [9,10,11]. In a study among Sri Lankan rural adolescents, males had poor satisfaction compared to females [10]. On the other hand, Omori et al failed to demonstrate a gender difference in dissatisfaction among Sri Lankan urban adolescents [11].…”