Perceived Body Image and Anthropometry Among Students

INTRODUCTION

Body image (BI) is a multidimensional construct comprising various dimensions, such as perceptual, affective, behavioural, and social validation through the opinions of others.^[1,2] The quantity and quality of acceptance or rejection of external feedback may influence self-perception and evaluation.^[1] Throughout their tertiary education, students encounter a range of social and academic pressures that have the potential to impact their perception of their physical appearance.

Furthermore, there is an increased burden of weight- or anthropometry-related issues among young people globally, including in Nigeria.^[3] The perception of body image influences the accurate acceptance of their true anthropometry status. Negative attitudes towards one’s own body predispose one to a wide array of psychological and health issues.^[4] Interestingly, studies have reported that the perception of actual body dimensions plays an important role in initiating weight-related behaviours.^[4]

There is also the impact of body image and actual weight distortion. Previous studies have noted body image distortion as a form of distress connected to one’s own body. Body dissatisfaction is characterised by a perceptually distorted image of one’s shape or size and a distinct feeling of discomfort.^[5] On the other hand, problems associated with weight-related issues, particularly being overweight and obese, are well-established and documented. They include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep disorders, and certain types of cancer.^[5]

Gaining insight into students’ perceptions of their bodies is essential for fostering a positive body image. There is a paucity of studies that test the relationship between the figure rating scale and actual body anthropometry in the black African population.

We determined how perceived body image is related to current body size & body ideal, and related it to self-reported and actual anthropometry among tertiary students from Southwestern Nigeria using the Silhouettes Rating Scale.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS

The average age of this study population was 21.4 years, and most were unmarried [Table 1]. Two out of five reported getting their weight checked in the last six months. Self-reported weight was slightly higher than measured weight. None considered themselves obese, while a body mass index (BMI) assessment revealed that one out of 20 individuals was obese.

When asked which figure fits their weight best and which one they consider ideal, most clustered between 5-9 ratings [Figure 1], using the Silhouettes Rating Scale.

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Figure 1:

Distribution of silhouettes rating scale assessment among participants.

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Figure 2 shows the distribution of BMI assessment amongst the participants. Those underweight, overweight, and obese (class I) were 24.6%, 4.9%, and 0.8%, respectively.

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Figure 2:

Figure showing the classification of BMI among the participants. BMI: Body mass index.

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Table 2 showed that there were strong positive correlations between waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, self-reported weight, and BMI, while those for body image perception were generally negative and weaker.

Table 3 shows a lack of alignment between participants’ BMI classification, their perceived body size, and their desired body image. There is a tendency to undervalue the current size and a preference for an average body type as the ideal.

Table 4 presents a summary of how the study participants classified weight, based on perception of self (“How do you consider yourself”) in relation to their actual Body Mass Index (BMI) classification. There is a notable disparity (p-value = 0.003) between the way participants perceive their weight and their categorised BMI. Most people tend to underestimate their weight rather than overestimate it.

DISCUSSION

This study investigated the body image perception of young female participants compared to their actual anthropometry (body measurements). It demonstrated that there is a discrepancy between how the participants perceive their body size and their actual measurements, particularly with respect to underestimation of body size and appearance. There is poor judgement of what they consider the ideal body size for themselves. This suggested a potential disconnect between how young female students perceive their bodies and their actual anthropometry. It suggests that factors beyond physical measurements might influence body image perception. It demonstrated the weight size perception, which has a strong implication on the need for weight control intervention in this population.

Participants tended to underestimate their body size, and to a lesser degree overestimate it. This is in the context of the strong correlation between general obesity measures, such as BMI, and central obesity measures, such as waist circumference, in this population. Even those with a normal BMI were more likely to perceive themselves as fitting into a smaller size. This suggests a potential disconnect between their perception and reality, which may be due to media and sociocultural ideals, as well as Western cultural idealism. Previous studies in this environment have demonstrated discrepancies in body image perceptions, suggesting possible challenges.^[11] A previous study of all age groups in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria and a single campus study found high levels of body image discontent.^[11,12] This is also in agreement with another previous study, which found that Nigerian females have internalised Eurocentric beauty standards compared to their Kenyan counterparts.^[13] The reverse perception of beauty, suggested by media and cultural context, may significantly influence these young people, where beauty is negatively correlated with being overweight/obesity. A higher/tertiary education is associated with exposure to Western culture, an acculturation process that may result in thinness becoming highly valued in Nigeria, especially in the southwestern region.^[14]

Individuals with a healthy weight who believe they are overweight or obese may engage in weight-loss behaviours, which can result in them becoming underweight.^[12] Likewise, a person who is underweight but sees themselves as larger may not feel the desire to gain weight, or may even engage in weight loss behaviours, depending on their perceived body weight.^[12] In addition, individuals who are overweight or obese have a poor perception of their body size.^[12] All these are associated with attendant physical and psychosocial implications.

This portrays a strong case for weight-related interventions. There is a significant proportion of malnutrition in this population, as exemplified by obese and underweight people; therefore, there is a need for targeted intervention to correct these anomalies.^[7] A number of interrelated biological pathways, including imbalances in the gut microbiome, inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and impaired insulin signalling, have been linked to the long-lasting effects of malnutrition earlier in life.^[15] This increases the chances of developing non-communicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases in later adulthood.^[15]

This study was limited to the female population on the campuses of five higher education institutions in the Ibadan metropolis, which may limit the possibility of exploring wider cultural variations across different populations. This, however, provides evidence for those of the Yoruba cultural background, who constitute the majority of the participants in this study. Also, the cross-sectional nature does not allow the exploration of causality. Notwithstanding its limitations, this study is one of the few that have explored body image perception in relation to actual anthropometry among the Black African population. Therefore, the finding would provide a valuable guide to conducting a bigger study across Nigeria. Furthermore, it provides the basis for further efforts to raise awareness and promote an understanding of the proper concept of body image among young adults, thereby promoting healthy anthropometry.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed a significant discrepancy between how Nigerian university students perceive their body size and their actual measurements. This suggests a widespread tendency for students to overestimate their size, raising potential public health concerns. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions that promote healthy body image and prevent dissatisfaction among young adults.