Body Dissatisfaction in schoolchildren: identification of associated factors in two rural communities of Guerrero, Mexico
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29059/cienciauat.v20i2.2039Keywords:
body dissatisfaction, body mass index, body image perception, childhood obesity, MexicoAbstract
Body dissatisfaction (BD) in childhood poses risks to physical and mental health, even in rural settings traditionals. This study aimed to estimate the degree of BD and identify associated factors among 4th–6th grade students from two rural communities in Guerrero, Mexico. We administered 139 surveys to schoolchildren. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected to derive BMI-for-age, along with measures of body image perception and behavioral variables. 51.1 % of minors participating were girls and 48.9 % were boys with an average age of 10 years (range from 8 to 13 years). Bivariate analyses showed significant associations between BD and BMI-for-age (OR = 7.600; 95 % CI: 2.668 to 21.644), the perception of the mother's body (OR = 2.375; 95 % CI: 1.005 to 5.612), concern about losing weight (OR = 2.772; 95 % CI: 1.09 to 6.991), and weight-loss practices (OR = 3.200; 95 % CI: 1.423 to 7.194). Reported concern about their appearance and 37.3 % engaging in practices to modify it, suggesting early internalization of thinness ideals of body image, both thinness and weight gain. No significantly differences (P ≤ 0.05) by sex in BD were observed. Overall, the findings demonstrate the presence of body image issues in the school population of two rural communities and highlight the relevance of preventive interventions that are contextsensitive and focused on the school-age period. Making BD visible in rural contexts could help reduce structural inequalities and promote a more equitable, comprehensive development from childhood.
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