Body self-image and prevalence of overweight and obesity in university students

Abstract

Objective: To assess overweight/obesity and self-perception of body image in university students and the associations of these variables with sociodemographic characteristics related to the University and health-related behaviors. Methods: Quantitative exploratory cross-sectional study conducted from January to February 2017 with 324 university students in the fields of Health, Exact and Human sciences. The University Students’ Health Indicators and Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, relationship with the university and health-related behaviors. Body self-image was assessed using the silhouette scale and nutritional status was assessed according to the body mass index. Descriptive analyses and multinominal logistic regression were performed. Results: The prevalence rate of overweight/obesity was 43.2% (n= 141) and the prevalence rate of body image dissatisfaction was 76.5% (n= 248). Female students presented higher chances of being overweight and obese (95%CI: 1.0-2.7, p 0.03). Married students (95%CI: 1.8-5.9; p 0.01), employed students (95%CI: 1.4-3.7; p 0.01) and students with an income equal to or greater than one minimum wage (95%CI: 1.4-4.8, p 0.01) were more likely to be overweight. Fair health status was associated with greater body image dissatisfaction (95%CI: 1.4-5.7; p 0.01). Better physical fitness was associated with lower chances of body dissatisfaction (95%CI: 0.06-0.47; p 0.01). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of overweight/obesity and body image dissatisfaction among university students. Prevalence of overweight was associated with age, sex, marital status, employment, income and red meat consumption whereas self-perception of body image was associated with self-perception of health status, physical fitness and study shift.