Body image in COPD and its relation with physical activity levels, lung function and body composition: An...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Psychology
• Health Sciences

Background:

• Body image, encompassing perceptions and feelings about one's body, significantly impacts self-worth and functional abilities.
• Distortions in body image perception can be a critical clinical indicator, particularly for individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate body image perception in patients diagnosed with COPD.
• To examine the relationship between body image and physical activity levels in COPD patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 109 participants, divided into COPD and control groups.
• Evaluations included physical activity levels, body image using the silhouette scale, body mass index (BMI), spirometry for lung function, and bioelectrical impedance for body composition analysis.

Main Results:

• Both COPD and control groups exhibited body dissatisfaction, desiring lower BMI and weight.
• No significant differences in body dissatisfaction levels were observed between the COPD and control groups.
• No correlation was found between physical activity levels and body image perception in either group.

Conclusions:

• Patients with COPD experience significant body dissatisfaction, comparable to individuals without the condition.
• Body image perception in COPD is associated with body composition metrics.
• Physical activity levels do not appear to influence body image perception in COPD patients.