Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
Center for Exercise Science and Sports, University of Ferrara, 44123 Ferrara, Italy.
Nutrients. 2024 Oct 11;16(20):3439. doi: 10.3390/nu16203439.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The discrepancy between the current perceived body image (BI) and beauty ideals leads to dissatisfaction, which is believed to be common among adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the stability in BI perceptions and dissatisfaction during early adolescence. Another aim was to highlight differences in dissatisfaction according to Body Mass Index (BMI) and inconsistencies in weight status perception.
Two hundred and nine participants (mean age at first survey: 11.33 ± 0.38 years) were enrolled in this longitudinal study with three years of follow-up. Data on size and BI perceptions were collected through individual interviews. Stature and weight were directly measured.
Findings indicated significant changes over three years in anthropometric traits but not in weight status prevalence or BI perception and dissatisfaction, except for the ideal figure in males and weight control in females. The results also indicated a significant difference in BI perception and dissatisfaction by BMI categories. Self-reported body measurements were found to be unreliable with a weak-to-moderate agreement between self-perceived and actual weight status.
BI perception appears quite stable across the three years considered. Dissatisfaction is similar in both genders, although a tendency toward different gender aesthetic ideals is already appreciable in early adolescence. We suggest that the lower frequency of normal-weight adolescents compared with peers in previous studies is attributable to the effects of the recent pandemic. Given the growing dissatisfaction with increasing BMI and misinterpretations of weight status, school actions to promote a healthy lifestyle and positive BI should be undertaken.
背景/目的：当前的身体意象（BI）感知与美的理想之间存在差异，导致不满，据信这种不满在青少年中很常见。本研究旨在调查青少年早期 BI 感知和不满的稳定性。另一个目的是根据身体质量指数（BMI）突出不满的差异，并强调体重状况感知的不一致性。
本纵向研究纳入了 209 名参与者（首次调查时的平均年龄为 11.33±0.38 岁），随访时间为 3 年。通过个人访谈收集大小和 BI 感知数据。直接测量身高和体重。
研究结果表明，三年内人体测量特征发生了显著变化，但体重状况流行率或 BI 感知和不满没有变化，男性的理想体型和女性的体重控制除外。结果还表明，BMI 类别之间的 BI 感知和不满存在显著差异。自我报告的身体测量值不可靠，自我感知和实际体重状况之间的一致性较弱到中等。
BI 感知在考虑的三年内似乎相当稳定。两性之间的不满相似，尽管在青少年早期已经可以明显看出不同的性别审美理想趋势。我们建议，与之前研究相比，正常体重青少年的频率较低归因于最近大流行的影响。鉴于 BMI 增加和体重状况误解的不满不断增加，应采取学校行动来促进健康的生活方式和积极的 BI。
