Body image (dis)satisfaction among low-income adult women

Abstract

Background & aims: A better understanding of the factors that affect self-perception of body characteristics may play an important role in weight control practices. The objective of this study was to analyze body weight perception and body image satisfaction in low-income adult women in Southern Brazil.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study in a cohort of women recruited from areas of social vulnerability in the city of Porto Alegre, RS. A random sample (n = 218) of women was interviewed, and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, body image perception using the Stunkard Scale, body weight estimation, weight concern and duplicate anthropometric measurements were obtained.

Results: The average age of the low-income women was 56.3 ± 9.5 years. The prevalences of overweight and obese individuals were 34.1% and 52.5%, respectively. Among all women, 83.0% were dissatisfied with their body image, and 68.9% of the women estimated their body weight correctly. In addition to BMI (body mass index), the proportions of women with a higher income (p = 0.05), smoking history (p < 0.01) and history of hypertension (p = 0.04) were significantly different between groups according to body image satisfaction. Multivariate analyses using Poisson regression showed that black/mixed race, higher income, and underweight and obese women were more likely to be dissatisfied with their body image.

Conclusions: The majority of women know their body weight and have body image dissatisfaction. Skin color, higher income and BMI were significantly associated with dissatisfaction. In addition, these women consider the "healthiest" body image to be thinner than the "ideal" body image, and the "ideal" image is one of normal weight and not too thin.

Keywords: Adult; Body image; Body mass index/BMI; Obesity; Perception of body size.