Prevalence and factors associated with body image dissatisfaction among school student: National School Health Survey, 2019.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate prevalence and analyze factors associated with body image dissatisfaction among Brazilian adolescent school students.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from the 2019 National School Health Survey (PeNSE). Prevalence of self-reported body image dissatisfaction and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and its association with individual characteristics were estimated via odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI using logistic regression.

Results: Of the 159,245 students, 30.2% (95%CI 29.2;31.1) reported body image dissatisfaction, which was associated with all factors analyzed. Likelihood of dissatisfaction was greater among females (OR = 3.86; 95%CI 3.45;4.32), having internet at home (OR = 8.68; 95%CI 6.83;11.03), thinking that no one cares about them (OR = 3.02; 95%CI 2.60;3.50), that life is not worth it (OR = 3.27; 95%CI 2.88;3.72) and feeling irritated (OR = 2.87; 95%CI 2.53;3.26).

Conclusion: Body image dissatisfaction is associated with various factors and requires an intersectoral approach.

Main results: Prevalence of body image dissatisfaction was 30.2%. The greatest likelihood of dissatisfaction was more related to being female, having internet at home, frequently feeling that no one cares about them, that life is not worth it, and feeling irritated.

Implications for services: We suggest that projects be carried out in schools encouraging physical activity, less screen time and good eating habits, in addition to providing psychological support to students, in order to guide care for their mental health.

Perspectives: Projects are needed to encourage and instruct good physical and psychological health practices at school, involving the entire school community, training of education professionals and encouragement of adolescent mental health self-care.