Dissatisfaction and discrepancy in body-image perceptions among adolescents aged 10-17 years from rural areas of southern Poland - a cross-sectional study.

Introduction and objective: Puberty causes changes in body composition and appearance which can lead to impaired self-evaluation and, subsequently, health-risk behaviours among adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the congruence of self-perception, body dissatisfaction, and self-perception incongruence with the current body weight status of adolescents from rural areas of southern Poland.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 446 adolescents aged 10-17 years, primarily from rural areas of the provinces of southern Poland. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess the nutritional status of adolescents. The research tool was a questionnaire that included a body silhouette test, a body image dissatisfaction index (BID), and the FAI (Feel weight status minus Actual weight status Inconsistency) index to observe inappropriate perceptions of body weight status.

Results: A total of 245 (54.9%) girls and 201 (45.1%) boys with a mean age of 13.6 ± 2.1 years were evaluated. Overall, 66.7% of the boys and 61.6% of the girls had normal body weight based on BMI interpretation, but only 33.5% of the girls and 39.3% of the boys perceived their body weight as normal. Almost 60% of the surveyed boys and girls were dissatisfied (BID) with their own appearance. An incorrect perception of body weight status (FAI) was presented by 49.4% of the girls and 41.8% of the boys. For more than 70% of girls, the ideal figure was one indicated as being underweight in the silhouette test. Dissatisfaction with one's own appearance was significantly associated with adherence to a diet and alcohol consumption.

Conclusions: Inappropriate perceptions and negative self-image among adolescents may be associated with hazardous health behaviours, representing a serious public health problem.