The Association of Body Image Concern with Anthropometric Indices and Dietary Intakes in Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study

Due to the increasing prevalence of body image concern (BIC), especially in adolescent girls, and its potential associations with lifestyle factors and anthropometric indices, the present study was designed to evaluate the associations between BIC with anthropometric indices and dietary intake in adolescent girls.

In this cross-section study, 210 adolescent girls aged 14-16 years were selected from high schools in Shiraz, Iran. Their anthropometric and demographic information were carefully recorded. Physical activity data were recorded through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and information on dietary intake was collected using a 24-hour recall. To assess BIC, Littleton BIC questionnaire was applied. Regression analysis was used to assess the associations between variables.

Based on the results, 121 girls (55.8%) of the participants had no BIC, 70 (32.3%) had little, and 26 (12.0%) had medium BIC. Mean values of BMI, BMI for age centile, and z-scores were significantly different between BIC subgroups (P=0.008, 0.023, and 0.009, respectively). Mean values of height, and height for age centile, and z-scores were significantly different between BIC subgroups (P=0.018, 0.021, and 0.029, respectively). Risk of BIC increased, by 77% with 1 unit increase in z-score of height for age. Also, 1 kcal increase in daily energy intake led to 1% decrease in the risk of BIC.

BIC was associated with lower calorie intake and higher z-score of height for age in adolescent girls.