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Body image and C-reactive protein in adolescents
C Sabiston1, A Castonguay, T Barnett
1Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada. catherine.sabiston@mcgill.ca
International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|February 11, 2009
Summary
Negative body image in adolescents is linked to higher C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation. This connection suggests body image concerns may impact physical health beyond psychological distress.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity and inflammation are linked, but the connection between inflammation markers and psychosocial factors like body image is understudied.
- This research investigates the relationship between body image and C-reactive protein (CRP) in adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between body image perceptions and physiological inflammation markers in adolescents.
- To determine if body shape discrepancy and social pressures to lose weight correlate with CRP levels.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample of 1503 adolescents (aged 13-16) from Quebec, Canada, participated.
- Data collection included questionnaires on body image, fasting blood samples for CRP, and anthropometric measurements.
Main Results:
- Body shape discrepancy showed a positive association with CRP in both boys and girls, independent of BMI and other factors.
- This association was significant even after controlling for puberty status and socio-demographic variables.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents with negative body image perceptions exhibit elevated biological markers of cardiometabolic risk.
- Findings indicate that negative body image may pose a threat to adolescent physical health, not just mental well-being.
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