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Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population

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A special issue of European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (ISSN 2254-9625).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 8950

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Georgian Badicu

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Guest Editor

Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500068 Brasov, Romania
Interests: physical activity; diet, fitness; sport; quality of life
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Body image is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct that includes positive and negative self-perceptions and attitudes (i.e., thoughts, feelings, and behaviors) regarding the body. This global term includes subjective, affective, cognitive, behavioral and perceptual processes.

Self-perception of body size seems not to always be in line with clinical definitions of normal weight, overweight and obesity according to the World Health Organization classification. The effect of self-perception of body size disturbances and body dissatisfaction may be the development of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or binge-eating disorder—a major risk factor of obesity development.

Additionally, weight misperception, a perceptual aspect of body image relating to over- or under-estimation of weight, is a separate construct from body dissatisfaction, since one can be quite accurate in the perception of one’s own size and shape, and yet still be dissatisfied.

Concerning body composition, it is important because it measures your overall health and fitness level in terms of your body fat percentage.

Authors are invited to contribute to this Special Issue by submitting original research articles, meta-analyses, and reviews that contribute new knowledge to this area. Papers selected for this Special Issue will be subject to a rigorous peer-review process with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments, and applications.

Dr. Georgian Badicu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

body image perception
physical and psychological changes
physical activity
body composition
body size
self-esteem
self-concept

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Moderating Effect of Body Appreciation on the Relationship between Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction

by René Wodarz and Aleksandra M. Rogowska

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2024, 14(4), 870-887; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ejihpe14040056 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 551

Abstract

Background: Although positive associations between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body image have previously been established, differences in these variables by gender and age have yielded mixed results. Moreover, little is known about the interplay between self-esteem and body appreciation on life satisfaction. This study aims to investigate the moderating effect of body appreciation on the relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction, considering disparities between females and males and also between emerging adults (before the age of thirty) and older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed in Poland with a sample of 449 adults aged between 18 and 75 (M = 30.41, SD = 12.72), including 68% of women. The survey included the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2). Results: Men scored higher than women in terms of life satisfaction and self-esteem, while older participants (age > 30) scored higher than younger individuals (age ≤ 30) in terms of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body appreciation. The study confirmed positive and moderate correlations between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and body appreciation. The interactive effect of self-esteem and body appreciation on life satisfaction was also found by controlling for age and gender. Conclusions: Some intervention programs focused on increasing levels of self-esteem and body appreciation should be implemented, especially among women and emerging adults, to improve their well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population)

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9 pages, 616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

(No) Effects of a Self-Kindness Intervention on Self-Esteem and Visual Self-Perception: An Eye-Tracking Investigation on the Time-Course of Self-Face Viewing

by Jonas Potthoff and Anne Schienle

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13(11), 2574-2582; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ejihpe13110179 - 08 Nov 2023

Viewed by 755

Abstract

Previous research has suggested a favorable impact of self-kindness on subjective well-being. The present experiment investigated the effects of an app-assisted self-kindness intervention for increasing self-esteem and self-face gaze, and for decreasing depression. We explored self-face processing via a time-course analysis of eye-tracking data. Eighty participants (56 female, 24 male; mean age: 23.2 years) were randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups, each receiving daily instructions to enhance either self-kindness or relaxation (active control). Following a one-week intervention period, both groups reported improved self-esteem (p = .035, η_part² = .068) and reduced depression (p < .001, η_part² = .17). The duration of self-face gaze increased in both groups (p < .001, η_part² = .21). Self-face processing was characterized by an early automatic attention bias toward the self-face, with a subsequent reduction in self-face bias, followed in turn by an attentional self-face reapproach, and then a stable self-face bias. We thus identified a complex temporal pattern of self-face inspection, which was not specifically altered by the intervention. This research sheds light on the potential for app-assisted interventions to positively impact psychological well-being, while also highlighting the complexity of self-face processing dynamics in this context. In the future, we propose the inclusion of personalized self-kindness statements, which may amplify the benefits of these interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population)

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19 pages, 948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Approach Using BMI and FMI as Predictors of Cardio-Vascular Risk Factors among Mexican Young Adults

by Rocío Guadalupe Salinas-Mandujano, Rosalía Reynoso-Camacho, Luis Miguel Salgado, Minerva Ramos-Gomez, Iza F. Pérez-Ramírez, Adriana Aguilar-Galarza, Ulisses Moreno-Celis and Miriam Aracely Anaya-Loyola

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13(10), 2063-2081; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ejihpe13100146 - 27 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1048

Abstract

The study aimed to identify accurate cut-off points for waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF%), body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI), and to determine their effective accuracy to predict cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) among Mexican young adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1730 Mexican young adults. Adiposity measures and CVRFs were assessed under fasting conditions. The optimal cut-off points were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Age-adjusted odds ratios (OR) were used to assess the associations between anthropometric measurements and CVRFs. The cut-off values found, in females and males, respectively, for high WC (≥72.3 and ≥84.9), high BF% (≥30 and ≥22.6), high BMI (≥23.7 and ≥24.4), high FMI (≥7.1 and ≥5.5), and low FFMI (≤16 and ≤18.9) differ from those set by current guidelines. High BMI in women, and high FMI in men, assessed by the 50th percentile, had the best discriminatory power in detecting CVRFs, especially high triglycerides (OR: 3.07, CI: 2.21–4.27 and OR: 3.05, CI: 2.28–4.08, respectively). Therefore, these results suggest that BMI and FMI measures should be used to improve the screening of CVRFs in Mexican young adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population)

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Graphical abstract

11 pages, 2390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Margherita Bertuccelli, Maria Rubega, Francesca Cantele, Claudia Favero, Andrea Ermolao, Emanuela Formaggio and Stefano Masiero

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13(9), 1909-1919; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ejihpe13090138 - 18 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1095

Abstract

Attentional biases toward body-related information increase body dissatisfaction. This can lead at-risk populations to develop psychopathologies. This phenomenon has not been extensively studied in girls affected by idiopathic scoliosis. This work aimed to study the cognitive processes that could contribute to the worsening and maintaining of body image disorders in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Twenty-eight girls were recruited and tested for body image dissatisfaction through the Scoliosis-Research-Society-22-revised (SRS-22r) questionnaire. Attentional biases towards disease-related body parts were assessed using a computerized visual match-to-sample task: girls were asked to answer as fast and accurately as possible to find the picture matching a target by pressing a button on a computer keyboard. Reaction times (RTs) and accuracy were collected as outcome variables and compared within and between groups and conditions. Lower scores in SRS-22r self-image, function, and total score were observed in scoliosis compared to the control group (p-value < 0.01). Faster response times (p-value = 0.02) and higher accuracy (p-value = 0.02) were detected in the scoliosis group when processing shoulders and backs (i.e., disease-relevant body parts). A self-body advantage effect emerged in the scoliosis group, showing higher accuracy when answering self-body stimuli compared to others’ bodies stimuli (p-value = 0.04). These results provide evidence of body image dissatisfaction and attentional bias towards disease-relevant body parts in girls with scoliosis, requiring clinical attention as highly predisposing to psychopathologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population)

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11 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Factors Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Levels in High School Students

by Relmu Gedda-Muñoz, Álvaro Fuentez Campos, Alfonso Valenzuela Sakuda, Iván Retamal Torres, Matías Cruz Fuentes, Georgian Badicu, Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela and Pablo Valdés-Badilla

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13(9), 1776-1786; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ejihpe13090129 - 13 Sep 2023

Viewed by 2007

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance in high school students; secondly, this study aims to relate and compare anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance. This is a quantitative, descriptive, and comparative cross-sectional study, which evaluated 443 high school students (48% female; 15.13 ± 1.59 years) belonging to the Maule region, Chile. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Questionnaire (DASS-21) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were applied. Academic performance was consulted on language, mathematics, and overall grade point average. The results indicate that vigorous physical activity (OR = 0.504; p = 0.017) and high academic performance in mathematics (OR = 0.597; p = 0.027) are associated with a reduced risk of depression. In turn, there is a significant inverse correlation between physical activity with anxiety (r = −0.224; p = 0.000), depression (r = −0.224; p = 0.000) and stress (r = −0.108; p = 0.032), while the performance of mathematics is inversely correlated with depression (r = −0.176; p = 0.000). On the other hand, significant differences (p < 0.05) between anxiety, depression, stress levels, and grade point average were found, with females exhibiting higher scores than males. In conclusion, greater vigorous physical activity and scoring above average in mathematics performance are protective factors against depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population)

12 pages, 770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Mediterranean Diet, Psychological Wellbeing and Media Pressure on Physical Complexion and Effect of Weekly Physical Activity Engagement in Higher Education

by Eduardo Melguizo-Ibáñez, Gabriel González-Valero, José Luis Ubago-Jiménez, José Manuel Alonso-Vargas and Pilar Puertas-Molero

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13(9), 1600-1611; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ejihpe13090116 - 25 Aug 2023

Viewed by 955

Abstract

Nowadays, the media has the power to encourage active and healthy lifestyles; however, it can have a negative impact on body image and psychological wellbeing. The present research aims to analyze Mediterranean diet adherence, media pressure, slim and athletic build ideals and psychological wellbeing as a function of weekly physical activity engagement. A further aim is to examine the effect of Mediterranean diet adherence, media pressure and psychological wellbeing on the perceived pressure to have an athletic and slim build. The present non-experimental study included a sample of 634 university students. Validated instruments adapted by the scientific community were used for data collection. Gathered data reveal that young people who engage in more than 300 min of physical activity per week are more likely to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, have better psychological wellbeing and feel more pressure to obtain an athletic build. In conclusion, weekly physical activity engagement impacts the variables under study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population)

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Review

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17 pages, 613 KiB

Open AccessReview

Physical Exercise Methods and Their Effects on Glycemic Control and Body Composition in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): A Systematic Review

by Bastián Parada Flores, Pablo Luna-Villouta, Cristian Martínez Salazar, Jorge Flández Valderrama, Luis Valenzuela Contreras, Carol Flores-Rivera and Rodrigo Vargas-Vitoria

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13(11), 2529-2545; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ejihpe13110176 - 05 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1442

Abstract

The prevalence of T2DM represents a challenge for health agencies due to its high risk of morbidity and mortality. Physical Activity (PA) is one of the fundamental pillars for the treatment of T2DM, so Physical Exercise (PE) programs have been applied to research their effectiveness. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects of PE methods on glycemic control and body composition of adults with T2DM. A systematic review without meta-analysis was performed, using the PubMed database. Quasi-experimental and pure experimental clinical trials were included, which were available free of charge and were published during 2010–2020. In the results, 589 articles were found and 25 passed the inclusion criteria. These were classified and analyzed according to the methods identified (AE, IE, RE, COM, and others), duration and variable(s) studied. It is concluded that PE is effective for glycemic control and body composition in adults with T2DM using different methods (AE, IE, RE, COM, and others), both in the short and long term. Adequate organization of PE components such as frequency, duration, volume, and intensity, is essential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Body Image Perception and Body Composition in All Population)

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