Rising dysmorphia among adolescents : A cause for concern

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Adolescent Health
• Body Image Research

Background:

• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves preoccupation with perceived appearance defects, causing distress and impairment.
• This study focused on BDD prevalence in adolescents attending premedical preparation classes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of body dysmorphia among teenage adolescents and young adults.
• To identify specific body image concerns in adolescent males and females.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 186 premedical students aged 16-18 years.
• Anonymous questionnaires were administered after obtaining verbal consent.
• Data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations.

Main Results:

• The study included 186 participants with a mean age of 16.81 years, with nearly equal male and female representation.
• Females reported greater body dissatisfaction than males, focusing on body fat, facial hair, height, and complexion.
• Males expressed concerns about muscularity, acne, height, weight, and hair thinning, indicating widespread body image dissatisfaction.

Conclusions:

• A rising emergence of body dysmorphia in adolescents has been observed.
• Adolescent body image dissatisfaction is a significant issue, with distinct concerns between genders.