Body Image, Self-perception, and Satisfaction Among Girls With Turner Syndrome: A Prospective Cross-sectional Study

Delayed puberty and short stature in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) can lead to low body image, self-esteem, and satisfaction.

We aimed to evaluate body image, self-perception, and satisfaction among girls with TS using the Multi-Dimensional Body Image Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale (MBSRQ-AS).

Patients with karyotype-proven diagnosis of TS between 15 and 21 years were included after they achieved final adult height. We used the MBSRQ-AS instrument with 5 subscales: Appearance Evaluation (AE), Appearance Orientation (AO), Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS), Overweight Preoccupation (OWP), and Self Classified Weight (SCW) subscales. Mean scores were compared with the available sex-matched population norms and compared between different subcohorts.

Of 59 eligible girls, 37 girls agreed to participate with mean age 17.35 ± 1.6 years. Girls with TS had significantly lower scores than the sex-matched population norms in AO (mean [SD]: 3.32 [0.42] vs 3.91 [0.6]); P < .001) and SCW (mean [SD]: 3.26 [0.71] vs 3.57 [0.73]; P = .01) subscales. In contrast, they had slightly higher scores in BASS (mean [SD]: 3.38 [0.74] vs 3.23 [0.74]; P = .23) and OWP (mean [SD]: 3.12 [0.39] vs 3.03 [0.96]; P = .21) subscales though not statistically significant. Girls with classic 45X karyotype and those who were overweight/obese had lower scores in AE and AO subscales than the normal population (P < .05).

Compared with sex-matched population norms, girls with TS are not reporting negative effects due to their appearance and report general satisfaction with most areas of their body; however, girls with TS with classic karyotype or who were obese/overweight were generally unhappy with their physical appearance. They also seem to not focus their attention on their appearance.