Abstract
Introduction: The transition from high school to college or university is known to be an especially problematic stage in adult development. In order to adapt and find a way of becoming accepted or popular with their peer group, young women become increasingly concerned about maintaining an attractive and culturally acceptable body shape. To reach their often idealistically low weight goals, many female students engage in regular dieting behaviors which are often unsound and extreme.
Objectives: This study aims to estimate the proportion of Body Image Disturbance among first year Qatari female college students and relate it to their BMI distribution. It also assesses the perceptions towards weight and dieting behaviors among first year Qatari female college students.
Methodology: Data were obtained by cross-sectional study design. Three hundred and thirty two first year Qatari female college students were selected using simple random sample. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed different concepts including feelings towards body appearance, overweight preoccupation, appearance orientation, body areas satisfaction, and potential risky behaviors and after that their height and weight were measured. Pearson Correlation was used.
Results: Our results indicate that 227(68.4%) of participants desire to lose weight. among them, 58% had body image disturbance (BID) ranging between 0-20% of their current weight. On the other hand, 105 (31.6%) of all participants have BID with a desire to gain weight, of these participants 73.3% have a desire to gain between 0-20% of their actual weight. Strong correlation was found between self reported current weight and actual (measured) weight with r=0.783, p<0.001, 55.1% of students dislike their body shape, 61.4% starve themselves, and 52.7% eat binges for no apparent reasons. About eighty percent weigh themselves at least once a day and 28.6% consider surgery as a way of controlling their weight.
Conclusion & Recommendations: Thinness is linked to social desirability among Qatari female college students. A sizable proportion of females with normal BMI have body dissatisfaction and desire to lose weight and potentially risky behaviors are practiced by the students in order to control their weight. The alarming findings of these behaviors among underweight students should raise concerns of possible eating disorders among these students.
Balanced health education messages should be delivered to females in schools and colleges about healthy attitudes and practices towards diet, and body weight.
Citation
Selim NAA, Mutawaa KA, Said H and Salem MF. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Body Image Disturbance among Qatari Female College Students. SM J Fam Med. 2017; 1(1): 1002.