Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) can lead to life‑threatening nutritional deficiencies whereas
self‑esteem influences interpersonal relationships and academic performance. Excessive concerns
about body image resulting in body dissatisfaction not only affect psychological well‑being but also
predisposes to disordered eating behaviors. The objective of this study is to assess the eating
behavior and level of self‑esteem, their relationship with body image perception and also identify
factors associated with them among undergraduate female college students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted among 180 female
undergraduate students of University of Delhi. Sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric
measurements were recorded. Eating Attitude Test‑26, Rosenberg Self‑esteem Scale, Contour
Drawing Rating Scale and Body Shape Questionnaire 34 were used to assess eating behavior,
self‑esteem, body image dissatisfaction and body shape concerns, respectively. Both descriptive
and inferential statistics were used and binary logistic regression was applied to identify the factors
determining high risk eating behavior and low self‑esteem.
RESULTS: In this study, 27.8% of the study participants were overweight or obese, 30.6% had body
shape concerns and 76.7% had body image dissatisfaction. Significant proportion (13.9%) of the
participants was identified as high risk for the development of EDs and having low self‑esteem (12.8%).
Body shape concern and family influences were significant predictors of high risk eating behavior
whereas type of college and family influences significantly predicted low self‑esteem.
CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that factors such as nutritional status, family influences, type
of college and body shape concerns lead to high risk eating behavior and low self‑esteem. These
findings will help in creating awareness on importance of concept of positive body image, healthy
weight control behaviors and in developing future interventions.
Keywords
and policy implications. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2013;9:13‑27.
2. Falkner NH, Neumark‑Sztainer D, Story M, Jeffery RW,
Beuhring T, Resnick MD. Social, educational, and psychological
correlates of weight status in adolescents. Obes Res 2001;9:32‑42.
3. Wadden TA, Stunkard AJ. Social and psychological consequences
of obesity. Ann Intern Med 1985;103:1062‑7.
4. Vossbeck‑Elsebusch AN, Vocks S, Legenbauer T. Body exposure
for eating disorders: Technique and relevance for therapy
outcome. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2013;63:193‑200.
5. Baskova M, Baška T, Banovcinova L. Selected aspects of dietary
habits in school‑aged youth in the Slovak Republic. Proc Soc
Behav Sci 2014;132:129‑34.
6. Miertová M. Dieting in adolescents. Cent. Eur. J. Nurs. Midwifery.
2012;3:460‑7.
7. Boutelle NK, Neumark‑Sztainer D, Story M, Resnick M. Weight
control behaviours among obese, overweight, and non‑overweight
adolescents. J Paediatr Psychol 2002;27:531‑40.
8. Sbicigo JB, Bandeira DR, Dell’Aglio DD. Rosenberg self-esteem
scale: Factorial validity and internal consistency.. Psico USF
2010;15:395‑403.
9. Lawler M, Nixon E. Body dissatisfaction among adolescent boys
and girls: The effects of body mass, peer appearance culture
and internalization of appearance ideals. J Youth Adolesc
2011;40:59‑71.
10. Mendelson BK, White DR, Mendelson MJ. Self‑esteem and body
esteem: Effects of gender, age, and weight. J Appl Dev Psychol
1996;17:321‑46.
11. WHO Expert Consultation. Appropriate body‑mass index for
Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention
strategies. Lancet 2004;363:157‑63.
12. Gaddad P, Pemde HK, Basu S, Dhankar M, Rajendran S.
Relationship of physical activity with body image, self esteem
sedentary lifestyle, body mass index and eating attitude in
adolescents: A cross‑sectional observational study. J Family Med
Prim Care 2018;7:775‑9.
13. Akdevelioglu Y, Gümüs H. Eating disorders and body image
perception among university students. Pak J Nutr 2010;9:1187‑91.
14. Naeimi AF, Haghighian HK, Gargari BP, Alizadeh M,
Rouzitalab T. Eating disorders risk and its relation to self‑esteem
and body image in Iranian university students of medical sciences.
Eat Weight Disord 2016;21:597‑605.
15. Quiles Marcos Y, Quiles Sebastián MJ, Pamies Aubalat L, Botella
Ausina J, Treasure J. Peer and family influence in eating disorders:
A meta‑analysis. Eur Psychiatry 2013;28:199‑206.
16. Pike KM, Dunne PE. The rise of eating disorders in Asia: A review.
Eat Disord 2015;3:33.
17. Jankauskiene R, Baceviciene M. Body image concerns and body
weight overestimation do not promote healthy behaviour:
Evidence from adolescents in Luthania. Int J Environ Res Public
Health 2019;16:864.
18. Sharpe H, Griffiths S, Choo TH, Eisenberg ME, Michison D,
Wall M, et al. The relative importance of dissatisfaction,
overvaluation and preoccupation with weight and shape for
predicting onset of disordered eating behaviours and depressive
symptoms over 15 years. Int J Eat Disord 2018;51:1168‑75.
19. Fortes Lde S, Cipriani FM, Coelho FD, Paes ST, Ferreira ME.
Does self‑esteem affect body dissatisfaction levels in female
adolescents? Rev Paul Pediatr 2014;32:236‑40.
20. Kenchappanavr RN. Self‑perception of female students of
co‑educational and women’s colleges. Int J Humanit Soc Sci Invent
2012;1:61‑3.
21. Jones AM, Buckingham JT. Self‑esteem as a moderator of the effect
of social comparison on women’s body image. J Soc Clin Psychol
2005;24:1164‑87.
22. Rahim NN, Chin YS, Sulaiman N. Socio‑demographic factors and
body image perception are associated with BMI‑for‑age among
children living in welfare homes in Selangor, Malaysia. Nutrients
2019;11:142.
23. Tiwari GK. Body image satisfaction enhances self-esteem.
VAICHARIKA 2014;4(4):7-11.
)