Department of Pediatrics, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar, Oman.
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar, Oman.
Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2022 May;22(2):218-224. doi: 10.18295/squmj.8.2021.121. Epub 2022 May 26.
This study aimed to examine body image perceptions and body image dissatisfaction and their relationship with body mass index (BMI) among medical students in Oman.
This cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar, Oman, between September and December 2019. The data (including self-reported weight and height) were collected through a questionnaire-based survey. Body image perception and satisfaction were assessed using the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale.
A total of 351 medical students (response rate: 70.2%) participated in the study with a mean age of 21.6 ± 2.2 years and a mean BMI of 22.7 ± 4.3 kg/m. Most students were within normal ranges of BMI (63%), 12% were underweight and 25% overweight/obese. Approximately, 66% of students perceived their body image correctly; students at both BMI extremes were more accurate about their body image perceptions. Body image dissatisfaction was high (80%) among the respondents with 73.5% of those dissatisfied desiring to be thinner. The association between self-reported BMI with perceived BMI and body image dissatisfaction was significant ( <0.001). Only 18.2% of students felt 'attractive'. The association between body image perception and body image dissatisfaction was statistically significant ( <0.05).
A high degree of body image dissatisfaction and incorrect body image perceptions exists among medical students. There is an increased desire to be thinner and the majority of this study's participants feel unattractive. There is a need to foster healthy body image perceptions among students of health sciences as they are the future in healthcare and can influence the health beliefs in our society.
本研究旨在探讨阿曼医学生的体像感知和体像不满及其与体重指数（BMI）的关系。
本横断面研究于 2019 年 9 月至 12 月在阿曼苏哈尔国立科技大学医学院和健康科学学院的学生中进行。通过问卷调查收集数据（包括自我报告的体重和身高）。使用 Stunkard 体型评分量表评估体像感知和满意度。
共有 351 名医学生（应答率：70.2%）参与了研究，平均年龄为 21.6 ± 2.2 岁，平均 BMI 为 22.7 ± 4.3kg/m。大多数学生的 BMI 在正常范围内（63%），12%体重过轻，25%超重/肥胖。大约 66%的学生对自己的体像感知正确；BMI 处于极端的学生对自己的体像感知更准确。受访者中体像不满率较高（80%），其中 73.5%的不满意者希望更瘦。自我报告的 BMI 与感知 BMI 和体像不满之间存在显著关联（<0.001）。只有 18.2%的学生觉得“有吸引力”。体像感知与体像不满之间存在统计学显著关联（<0.05）。
医学生中存在高度的体像不满和不正确的体像感知。人们渴望更瘦，本研究的大多数参与者觉得自己没有吸引力。有必要培养健康的体像感知，因为健康科学专业的学生是未来的医疗保健人员，他们可以影响我们社会的健康观念。
