Body satisfaction versus anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics in secondary school youth in a three-year study

Abstract

Background. The current trend for a slim body has spread to all age groups and social strata. It is necessary to monitor health- and eating-related behaviours among young people to counteract bad eating habits. Aim. To examine body satisfaction taking into account anthropometrics and physical activity data in high-school youth over the course of a three-year study. Material & Methods. Anthropological examinations on the same high-school students were conducted in: 2014, 2015, 2016 – always in September. The parameters measured included: body weight, body height (B-v), waist and hip circumference. Somatic indices were calculated: BMI, WHR, Rohrer’s index. The study also included a questionnaire with questions about the number of hours of physical activity per week, the length of time in training in a given sports discipline, self-assessment of body satisfaction and eating habits. Results. For both girls and boys the intensity of physical exercise declined year by year. The potential reason may be that the young people got to know one another after the first year and did not feel compelled to work on their body (to appear more attractive). As many as 56% of girls were not satisfied with their body in first grade and 71% of boys. In the two subsequent years, dissatisfaction rates dropped for both sexes. Conclusions. There is a need for health-promoting programmes so that young people can learn about the principles of nutrition and not experiment with excessive dieting.

Keywords

• body satisfaction
• anthropometry
• high-school youth
• lifestyle
• eating habits
• eating behaviours