Body Image Concern and its Correlates among Male and Female Undergraduate Students at Assuit University in Egypt

Abstract

Introduction:This cross-sectional study examined variables associated with body image concern (BIC) and whether these associations differed between female and male students in Egypt. During the period 2009-2010, 3271 undergraduate students (1663 females, 1504 males) at Assuit University in Egypt completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed BIC and other socio-demographic and health related variables.Methods:Based on Cooper et al.’s Body Shape Questionnaire the authors categorized BIC into ‘no BIC’; ‘mild BIC’; and ‘moderate/marked BIC’. Multifactorial linear regression analysis examined the association between BIC and BMI, body image perception, lifestyle (physical activity, nutrition, smoking) and mental well-being variables (quality of life, finances-related stress, perceived stress, perceived health, depressive symptoms).Results:About 40% of the female students and 25.6% of male students reported having mild to marked BIC. The correlates of BIC did not exhibit striking differences between male and female students. For both genders, BIC was positively associated with BMI, body image perception as being too fat and with depressive symptoms. Self-rated health was inversely associated with BIC.Conclusion:These findings suggest that health promoting strategies should address the co-occurrence of depressive symptoms and BIC, and should furthermore pay due attention to higher prevalence of BIC among female students.

The Body Shape as Body Image Determinant in University Students

“…Studies simultaneously evaluating physical form and body image were not found. Women, as compared to men, generally perceive themselves as being a little heavier, and wish to look thinner, confirming previous reports in university population (32), in adolescents (33), and in adults (34). We found 13% to 48% consistency among what participants thought about their body image and what they wish, and think, and believed how others see them (Table II).…”

“…Moreover, both men and women showed high dissatisfaction with their own body shape (75%); the higher the overweight and obesity, the higher the dissatisfaction with their body shape. El Ansari et al (32) reported 15% higher unconformity on body image in young university women vs men, and in both cases that unconformity was directly proportional to BMI; furthermore, it was associated with depression and poor life style. We found that women show 30% more disagreement with their bodies as compared to men, and they wish to be thinner (79%).…”

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“…This is contrary to results realized by studies conducted in Western countries, which have tended to suggest the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction, especially among young adults, including among university students (see e.g., Ansari et al, 2014;Ferrari et al, 2013;Goswmi, Sachdeva and Sachdeva, 2012). It should be noted that the existence of low levels of body image dissatisfaction adduced by this study is backed up by the absence of the symptoms of negative body image consequences -such as attempted suicide, suicide thoughts, withdrawal from friends/peers/colleagues, and eating disorders -among the bulk of those who were interviewed for the study.…”

Are Students’ Symptoms and Health Complaints Associated with Perceived Stress at University? Perspectives from the United Kingdom and Egypt

“…The scope of the current research is in line with other general student health and wellbeing surveys undertaken in a number of countries [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”