Factors associated with dissatisfaction with body image in students of health courses in Belém-PA

Introdução: A imagem corporal pode ser definida como a figura que se tem do próprio corpo e os sentimentos em relação ao seu tamanho, forma e partes constituintes. Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal e fatores associados, em estudantes dos cursos da área da saúde de Belém-PA. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo transversal, quantitativo, descritivo, por conveniência. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de questionário online. Foram coletados dados sobre a insatisfação com a imagem corporal através da escala de silhuetas, dados socioeconômicos (sexo, idade, estado civil, moradia e renda familiar), estado nutricional (Ãndice de Massa Corporal - IMC) e prática de atividade física. Para a análise de dados utilizou-se a análise descritiva por meio de frequências relativas e absolutas, além do teste Qui-quadrado. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05), sendo utilizado para os cálculos o software STATA versão 12.0. Resultados: Foram avaliados 253 estudantes universitários da área da saúde, com idade média de 20 a 22 anos. A maioria era do sexo feminino (81,42%). Verificou-se que 68,77% dos estudantes estavam eutróficos e obteve-se amostra significativa (50,98%) de sedentários. A prevalência de estudantes insatisfeitos com a imagem corporal por magreza foi de 26,48% e de estudantes insatisfeitos por excesso de peso foi de 49,01%. Apenas 24,51% estavam satisfeitos com sua autoimagem corporal. Conclusão: Os universitários avaliados apresentaram prevalência considerável de insatisfação com a imagem corporal e inatividade física o que constitui fatores preocupantes aos futuros profissionais de saúde. ABSTRACT Factors associated with dissatisfaction with body image in students of health courses in Belém-PAIntroduction: The body image can be defined as the image that one has of the body itself and the feelings related to its size, shape and constituent parts. Objective: To verify the prevalence of dissatisfaction's index concerning to body image and its associated factors among college students in health area in Belém-PA. Materials and Methods: The analysis was cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study and by convenience. Data collection was get through online questionnaire. Data on body image dissatisfaction were collected through silhouette scales, socioeconomic data (sex, age, marital status, household and family income), nutritional status (Body Mass Index - BMI) and physical activity practice. In data analysis it was used descriptive analysis by means of relative and absolute frequencies, besides the using of Chi-square test. A significant level was adopted at 5% (p <0.05), and STATA software version 12.0 was used for calculations. Results: 253 universities students from the health area were evaluated, with avarage age between 20 and 22 years and the majority was comprised by female (81.42%). It was verified that 68.77% of the students were eutrophic and a significant data of sedentary ones (50,98%). The prevalence of students dissatisfied with body image concerning to low body mass was 26.48% and students dissatisfied with overweight was 49.01%. Only 24.51% was happy with their self-image. Conclusion: The universities students evaluated showed a considerable prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and it was related to lack of physical activities, which is a troubling factor as they are future health professionals.Introduction: The body image can be defined as the image that one has of the body itself and the feelings related to its size, shape and constituent parts. Objective: To verify the prevalence of dissatisfaction's index concerning to body image and its associated factors among college students in health area in Belém-PA. Materials and Methods: The analysis was cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study and by convenience. Data collection was get through online questionnaire. Data on body image dissatisfaction were collected through silhouette scales, socioeconomic data (sex, age, marital status, household and family income), nutritional status (Body Mass Index - BMI) and physical activity practice. In data analysis it was used descriptive analysis by means of relative and absolute frequencies, besides the using of Chi-square test. A significant level was adopted at 5% (p <0.05), and STATA software version 12.0 was used for calculations. Results: 253 universities students from the health area were evaluated, with avarage age between 20 and 22 years and the majority was comprised by female (81.42%). It was verified that 68.77% of the students were eutrophic and a significant data of sedentary ones (50,98%). The prevalence of students dissatisfied with body image concerning to low body mass was 26.48% and students dissatisfied with overweight was 49.01%. Only 24.51% was happy with their self-image. Conclusion: The universities students evaluated showed a considerable prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and it was related to lack of physical activities, which is a troubling factor as they are future health professionals