نارضایتی از بدن در میان دانشجویان دختر و پسر سفیدپوست و آفریقایی آمریکایی

Body size perception has been shown to be highly influenced by cultural factors including race. This study assessed body size perceptions of a convenience sample of college students (N=630). Included in a paper-and-pencil survey were current height and weight (body mass index (BMI)=wt [kg]/ht2 [m]), perceived BMI, desired MI and perceptions of BMIs desired by others. Also assessed were perceptions of underweight, acceptable weight and overweight/obesity. African American females were found to have a higher current BMI than Whites (P≤.001), higher desired BMI (P≤.001) and higher BMI perceived to be desired by others (P≤.001). African American and White males did not differ on any of these measures. Most (83%) underweight (BMI<19) African American females perceived themselves as underweight while only about one-half of underweight (56%) White females perceived themselves as underweight. Almost half (43%) of White females and about a fourth (27%) of African American females of acceptable BMI range (BMI=19–25) desired to be in the underweight range. Of those who were overweight (BMI=25–30), 20% of the Whites and only 3.0% of the African Americans chose an underweight silhouette as being desired. While African Americans and White males tended to have similar perceptions that there remains sociocultural influences in African American females regarding acceptance of a large body size.

Body image has been defined as a person's mental image (perceptions, thoughts, feelings, attitudes) and evaluation of their body and the influence of this mental image and evaluation on their behavior Garner, 1995 and Grogan, 1999. Body dissatisfaction, particularly size and weight, is a common attribute found in those indicating disordered eating behaviors (Garner, 1995). Body size dissatisfaction and disordered eating appear to be widespread among young women Delene & Bragowicz, 1992, Harris, 1995, Klemchuk et al., 1990, Mintz & Betz, 1988 and Schulken et al., 1997. In a college healthcare needs assessment, Delene and Brogowicz (1992) reported that 6% of students were concerned about eating disorders, 25% were concerned about weight control and 30% were extremely worried about body shape and size. These reports have resulted in college and university health professionals responding to the high prevalence of eating-related disorders (Schwitzer, Bergholz, Dore, & Salimi, 1998).