Samari Ellaisha, Vaingankar Janhavi Ajit, Tan Bernard, Chang Sherilyn, Tan Yeow Wee Brian, Archana S, Chua Yi Chian, Tang Charmaine, Lee Yi Ping, Chew Chu Shan Elaine, Davis Courtney, Verma Swapna, Subramaniam Mythily
Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
Department of Psychosis, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
Front Psychiatry. 2025 Apr 25;16:1505161. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1505161. eCollection 2025.
Body dissatisfaction, often arising from the disparity between the perceived ideal and actual body, is prevalent among young individuals and is linked to various mental health issues. Previous research consistently indicates notable differences in body dissatisfaction between males and females. This study used data from a nationwide study to determine the prevalence of body dissatisfaction among young individuals in Singapore. It also aims to identify associated sociodemographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors using a gender-based approach.
Data were obtained from 2600 youths aged 15-35 who participated in the National Youth Mental Health Study. Information on sociodemographic background, body dissatisfaction, childhood trauma, BMI, self-esteem, and social media use was collected. Weighted multiple logistic regressions were performed to identify the sociodemographic variables, as well as other health-related and psychosocial factors associated with body dissatisfaction, stratified by gender.
20.2% (25.7% females; 14.8% males) reported moderate to marked body shape concerns. Among females, younger ages, Indians (vs. Chinese), those with diploma education (vs. university), those with overweight, those with childhood trauma, and those with greater daily social media usage were more likely to report moderate to marked body shape concerns. Among males, those with primary education and below (vs. university), those with overweight, and those with greater daily social media usage were more likely to report moderate to marked body shape concerns.
These results emphasize the importance of creating specific public health programs that consider the different experiences and challenges related to body dissatisfaction based on gender. These programs could help promote body image positivity, increase self-compassion, and encourage critical engagement with social media content.
身体意象不满通常源于感知到的理想身体与实际身体之间的差异，在年轻人中普遍存在，并与各种心理健康问题相关。先前的研究一致表明，男性和女性在身体意象不满方面存在显著差异。本研究使用了一项全国性研究的数据，以确定新加坡年轻人中身体意象不满的患病率。它还旨在采用基于性别的方法，识别相关的社会人口统计学、健康相关和心理社会因素。
数据来自2600名年龄在15 - 35岁之间参与全国青年心理健康研究的年轻人。收集了有关社会人口统计学背景、身体意象不满、童年创伤、体重指数、自尊和社交媒体使用情况的信息。进行加权多元逻辑回归，以识别按性别分层的社会人口统计学变量，以及与身体意象不满相关的其他健康相关和心理社会因素。
20.2%（女性为25.7%；男性为14.8%）报告有中度至明显的体型担忧。在女性中，年龄较小、印度人（与华人相比）、具有文凭教育程度（与大学学历相比）、超重、有童年创伤以及日常社交媒体使用较多的人更有可能报告中度至明显的体型担忧。在男性中，小学及以下学历（与大学学历相比）、超重以及日常社交媒体使用较多的人更有可能报告中度至明显的体型担忧。
这些结果强调了制定特定公共卫生项目的重要性，这些项目应考虑到基于性别的与身体意象不满相关的不同经历和挑战。这些项目有助于促进身体形象的积极态度，增强自我同情，并鼓励对社交媒体内容进行批判性参与。
