Demetra (Dec 2018)
BODY SHAPE AND FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AMONG STUDENTS ENROLLED IN COURSES OF THE HEALTH FIELD: A COMPARISON BETWEEN BRAZIL AND SPAIN
Abstract
Introduction: Body shape is an important component of personal identity, since it is the way the body depicts itself. When this image brings a bad shape to the individual, it becomes a factor triggering eating disorders. Some groups suffer with significant social pressure due to their physical image, since they work in fields related to weight control or to body shape. These groups are prone to present body dissatisfaction and, then, to develop eating disorders. Students enrolled in courses related to the health fields are among these risk groups. Objective: Assessing the body shape and its correlation to the family environment of this group in two countries, Brazil and Spain. Methodology: Analytical study based on the quantitative approach. Data collection was performed based on an instrument, which was divided into two parts: data identification, and aspects linked to body shape (Body shape Questionnaire) and family environment (Family Environment Scale). Results: Dissatisfaction with the body shape reached 43.2% of the Brazilian students and 47.07% of the Spanish ones (p = 0.801), and there was association with different factors in the family environment scale. Conclusion: The study evidenced the need of including an evaluation about the reflex of body shape on actions taken to promote health in groups vulnerable to body shape distortions. DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2018.33189
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