Body Composition and Perception of Body Image

Abstract

Introduction. During middle age, women experience physical and hormonal changes associated with the climacteric and menopause that may influence body fat distribution and body image perception. Body composition allows assessment of nutritional status, whereas body image reflects perceptual and emotional aspects of the body.
The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between body composition and body image perception in women aged 40 to 60 years residing in Libertador San Martín, Entre Ríos.
Methods. A quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted, whit a sample
consisted of 102 women selected through non-probabilistic. Body composition was assessed through anthropometry (ISAK protocol), and body image perception was evaluated using the BSQ-8 questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed, considering a significance level of p<0.05.
Results. The mean age was 49.25 ± 6.52 years. Regarding body composition, 54.9% of participants presented excess weight (43.1% overweight and 11.8% obesity), while 45.1% had normal weight. Despite this, 88.2% showed low metabolic risk. Concerning body image perception, 98% of participants reported negative perception, predominantly in the mildly negative category. No significant association was found between body composition and body image perception (p>0.05).
Conclusions. Body composition was not significantly associated with body image perception. These findings suggest that sociocultural and emotional factors may have a greater influence than anthropometric parameters on body self-perception among the evaluated women.