Validation of the body image dimensional assessment in adolescents from Spanish high school.

INTRODUCTION

There are not many valid instruments to quickly and easily identify body dissatisfaction in adolescents. Most studies have used the Stunkard Rating Scale to assess body image. Nevertheless, this scale has been described as too abrupt and crude for adolescents.

AIM

Was to validate the body image dimensional assessment (BIDA) questionnaire in a sample of adolescents from Secondary schools of Spain.

METHOD

The BIDA consists of four items to answer with reference to a series of four silhouettes using a numeric scale that allows the quantification of the degree of body dissatisfaction (BD), sexual body dissatisfaction (SxBD), comparative body dissatisfaction (CBD) and the calculation of the final body dissatisfaction index (BDIndex). The sample included 2059 adolescents, 1132 males and 929 females aged 13.10 ± 0.89. Participants answered the BIDA and then their anthropometrics measurements were taken.

RESULTS

Reliability test, a convergent test and confirmatory factorial analysis were conducted to validate BIDA instrument. A single factor structure emerged from confirmatory factorial analysis; the BIDA demonstrated adequate internal consistency in adolescents: (CFI > 0.90, TLI > 0.90, α > 0.80). Significant correlations (p < 0.001) emerged between the BIDA indices and all the anthropometric measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The BIDA questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate body dissatisfaction in Spanish adolescents.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, descriptive study.