Insatisfação com a imagem corporal e fatores associados em mulheres do sul do Brasil

Objective: To associate the dissatisfaction with body self-image (BSI) with socio demographic factors, nutritional status and eating disorders in adult women of the municipality of Ipe/RS. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 187 women between the age of 18 and 59. To collect data, a standardized and validated questionnaire containing socio demographic information, assessment of dissatisfaction with BSI (Body Shape Questionnaire) and symptoms of eating disorders (Questionnaire EAT-26) was applied. In addition, all participants were measured by weight and height to calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI). In the statistical analysis, simple frequencies were used, in addition to linear trend test, chi-square and Poisson regression in order to identify associations between outcomes and exposure factors. A significance level of 5% was established. Results: 45.9% of the women demonstrated dissatisfaction with their BSI, 40% were overweight, and 17.1% shown symptoms of eating disorders. Nutritional status and the presence of eating disorder symptoms were significantly associated with dissatisfaction of BSI. Obese women were 49% more likely to present symptoms of dissatisfaction in relation to eutrophic women. Regarding the variable used for eating disorder symptoms, women with positive screening showed 61% more probability to be dissatisfied with their body compared to women who had negative screening for this variable. There were no statistically significant associations between socio demographic variables and dissatisfaction with BSI. Conclusion: These results suggest a high prevalence of dissatisfaction with BSI, regardless of age and place of residence. Women with excess weight and eating disorder symptoms are more likely to have some degree of BSI dissatisfaction.