‘Self body-management and thinness in youth: survey study on Italian girls’

Abstract

Adherence to the thinness model, self-acceptance such as self-esteem is psychological dynamics influencing the young age and emerging adulthood of women life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the girls and young women’ ability to deal with the adherence to thinness model according to their self-body management thought daily self-perception of ownhabits and aptitude. We analysed their emotional patterns and body management to elucidate the Italian phenomenon. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2287 Italian female distribute in range age 15–25 years old and distributed in girl and young women groups. We conducted a Survey study by snowball sampling technique. Our results showed that girls had higher emotional pattern scores when their weight and shape fit the thinness model: skinny girls felt positively about their body even if when they did not take adequate care of it. Italian girls consider the underweight body mass index an adherence model. Findings suggest the urgent need to plan prevention programme to model healthy behaviours about their daily good practice overcoming social and cultural models based on appearance.

Lifestyle, body mass index and wellness in youth: Strengthens and weakness in Italian youth

“…By the EPOCH framework, cultivating and enhancing psychological characteristics such as perseverance in underweight and overweight adolescents and young adults could reinforce specific psychological aspects in them regarding future wellness, improving the positive perception and management of their own health. In a previous study (Di Giacomo et al ., 2018), underweight participants seemed happier than overweight participants because their physical shape is closer to the sociocultural model of thinness, but this is an emotional condition and does not reflect their wellness attitudes. Moreover, the desire of or adherence to the thinness model cannot be considered a protective factor, as it makes youth vulnerable and is a risk factor for adulthood because of the focus on the achievement of a socio-culturally accepted appearance; this leads them to neglect healthy behaviors that can help them manage their own body.…”

“…This process of growth affects various features, including physical, mental, social, and sexual factors. Eating, drinking, as well as sexual behaviors influence the (positive or negative) modeling of healthy behaviors and simultaneously affect youth’s psychological well-being (Di Giacomo et al ., 2018). Self-acceptance is a relevant psychological condition for youth, as well as appearance, weight, and comparison to others (Meland et al ., 2007; Grabe et al ., 2008; Voelker et al ., 2015; Goldsmith & Byers, 2016; Senin-Calderon et al ., 2017; Elsborg & Elbe, 2018).…”

“…Based on the results of a previous study (Di Giacomo et al, 2018), the present study examined the relationship between lifestyle factors (drinking, eating, and sexual behaviors), BMI, and psychological wellness. For this purpose, this study applied the EPOCH model.…”

Adolescent Body Perception: Urban, Rural and Suburban Differences

“…Both over and underestimation of body weight, can lead to unhealthy behaviors, situations and ideas. It is important that these perceptions be considered when designing intervention and treatment programs targeted at improving adolescent health outcomes [68].…”