Association between body image perception and anthropometric variables among schoolchildren

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate body image perception, verify its possible association with anthropometric indicators (body mass index - BMI, waist-to-hip ratio - WHR and percent of body fat - %BF) among schoolchildren. The sample was composed of 467 subjects (218 boys and 249 girls) from the ages of 9 to 16 years old (mean 12.45±1.58 yrs), within the public and private educational system of Florianópolis, SC. The data collection included anthropometric measures (body mass, stature, girths and skin folds) and evaluation of body image perception by using the 9-silhouette questionnaire, where individuals indicated the figure which represented their body appearance and the one considered ideal. The data was analyzed with the following statistic procedures: descriptive, student t-test, multiple regression analyses and Spearmann correlation. Silhouettes number 2 and 3 were the most indicated ideal figures by girls and boys, respectively. Almost 67% of students were unsatisfied with their body image, especially in relation to excess of body fat. Age and %BF for boys and BMI and %BF for girls were the variables that were highly associated with current body image.