Anthropometric status and body image perception among Moroccan university students

University students aged between 18 and 25 undergo several physical changes as a result of transition from adolescence to adulthood. Students do not always accept those changes and sometimes develop dissatisfaction towards their figures. In such cases, it is still not clear how actual body weight status can be affected by socio-cultural factors such as body image perception. The objective of this study was to determine the link between anthropometric status and body image perception among university students.

Two hundred and forty six (246) university students from the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies within the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region in Morocco, aged 20-24 years were interviewed using face-to-face questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and Body Mass Index were collected. Body image perception was assessed by Figure Rating Scale, and body size dissatisfaction was calculated as Feel minus Ideal Discrepancy (FID). Data were described using means and proportions. The Student t-test and the chi-square test have been used to assess the statistical significance of group differences.

Underweight students represented 16.7% of the investigated sample, while 11.4% suffered from overweight and obesity, higher in females students (14.4%) than in males (7.9%). Regarding body image perception, 43.9% of participants considered themselves underweight; whereas only 4.2% considered themselves overweight with no significant differences related to gender. Of note, the total prevalence of body image dissatisfaction was around 69.8%. Finally, among overweight/obese students, 88.9% of females and 71.4% of males expressed the wish to become thinner while 28.6% of the overweight/obese males wanted to get heavier.

The results of this study indicate a high rate of body image dissatisfaction and a tendency of participants to underestimate their body weight. This behavior may be a reflection of a real influence of social and psychological factors occurring during this critical period and may make university students vulnerable to many risk-taking behaviors. Thus, there is a need for suitable interventional programs and innovative strategies to ensure the understanding of the health consequences of overweight and obesity and to prevent associated comorbidities.