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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Body image as risk factor for emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents

Authors: Lingling Ren, Yuanyuan Xu, Xin Guo, Jing Zhang, Hong Wang, Xiaomin Lou, Jianping Liang, Fangbiao Tao

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Being overweight and obesity during adolescence are worldwide public health problems. This study examined the relationship between actual weight, body image, and emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents.

Methods

A total of 3841 adolescents (age range, 11–16 years) from 5 Chinese cities were included in this cross-sectional study. All of the study participants were asked to complete questionnaires (including demographic features, strengths and difficulties questionnaires, pubertal development scale), and their height and weight were measured at the same time. Body image was measured in two ways: self-perceived weight and body satisfaction. The relationship between weight status and mental health was estimated by multivariate logistic regression for boys and girls.

Results

Our study showed a difference by sex for prevalence of being overweight/obesity and body dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescents. Boys were more likely to be overweight or obese than girls (30.4% vs. 21.5%, p < 0.05), but girls were more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies than boys (41.2% vs. 27.9%, p < 0.05). In the logistic regression, body image, not actually being overweight, was significantly associated with a higher risk of emotional and behavioral problems. Compared to perceived normal weight boys, boys who perceived themselves as underweight had an increased likelihood of emotional problems (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–2.57), conduct problems (OR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.20–2.50), and total difficulties (OR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.09–2.05). Compared to body satisfaction, body dissatisfaction was a risk factor for emotional problems (boys: OR = 2.80; 95% CI, 1.84–4.25; girls: OR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.42–3.36), conduct problems (boys: OR = 1.87, 95% CI, 1.26–2.76; girls: OR = 2.79; 95% CI, 1.46–5.30), hyperactivity problems (boys: OR = 1.67; 95% CI, 1.09–2.55; girls: OR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.13–3.69), and total difficulties (boys: OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.45–2.84; girls: OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.46–3.56).

Conclusions

Being overweight and obese during adolescence are very serious public health problems in China. Body image was a more substantial predictor for adolescent emotional and behavioral problems than actually being overweight/obesity.
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Metadata
Title
Body image as risk factor for emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents
Authors
Lingling Ren
Yuanyuan Xu
Xin Guo
Jing Zhang
Hong Wang
Xiaomin Lou
Jianping Liang
Fangbiao Tao
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6079-0

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