Body image dissatisfaction in brazilian nutrition students: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a condition characterized by a distorted perception of one's own body image. Individuals with BDD exhibit excessive concern about their appearance, often fixating on perceived flaws that are either imaginary or minor. The prevalence of body image-related eating disorders has been increasing among university students, particularly in health-related fields, where students frequently experience pressure to maintain an ideal body shape and weight.

Methods: This cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted with Nutrition students at a community university in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Body image perception was assessed using the Silhouette Matching Task (SMT) by means of an online questionnaire via Google Forms. Data analysis was performed using Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation, with statistical significance set at P<0.05.

Results: A total of 46 students participated, of whom 76.08% (n=35) were female. The mean BMI was 23.33kg/m², with a predominance of eutrophic individuals (74.28%). In contrast, the mean BMI for males was 28.42kg/m², with overweight being the predominant nutritional status. Regarding body image perception, 77.14% of females and 63.64% of males reported dissatisfaction with excess weight. The study found that males had a significantly higher weight (P=0.00003; r=0.578). Additionally, body dissatisfaction was more prevalent among females (P=0.00531; r=0.357) and increased with BMI (P=0.0015; r=0.455).

Conclusion: The findings indicate a high prevalence of body dissatisfaction among students, even among those with a nutritionally adequate status, particularly females. These results highlight the strong sociocultural pressure surrounding body image which significantly impacts this population.