Body mass index and sum of skinfolds: Which is the best predictor of body image dissatisfaction in adolescents?

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association of body image dissatisfaction with two anthropometric indicators (body mass index and sum of skinfolds) in female adolescents and to identify the best predictor of body image dissatisfaction in this population.

Method: The study included 329 female students aged 11–14 years from Santa Maria/RS. Body image was evaluated by the scale of body silhouettes of Stunkard et al. Body weight, height and skinfold thickness were measured to calculate body mass index and sum of skinfolds. The chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were used in the SPSS® 15.0 software, adopting a significance level of 5.0%.

Results: Body image dissatisfaction was associated with both anthropometric indicators; however, body mass index showed greater predictive power of this phenomenon, and overweight and obese students were three times more likely to be dissatisfied.

Conclusion: This study suggests the use of body mass index as an anthropometric indicator in studies on body image in this population due to its strong relationship with body image dissatisfaction.