Self-perception of physical appearance of adolescents and associated factors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Establishing a positive body image is a critical factor for adolescents' physical and mental health, as it determines self-confidence, and sustainable individual growth and development throughout their lives. This reality needs to be supported by evidences generated locally. However, there is a lack of information in this regard in the study setting. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the self-perception of one's physical appearance and its associated factors among adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A community-based, cross-sectional study design was used to conduct the study. At the end of the multistage sampling procedure, a systematic random sampling technique was employed to select 308 study participants from selected districts. The questionnaire was adapted from previous studies as it was appropriate for local context. The data collectors were trained before the data collection and supervised during the data collection period, and the questionnaire was pretested. Bivariate logistic regression was used to identify candidate variables, and then variables with p<0.2 were taken to multiple logistic regressions to identify independent associated factors. Statistical significance was considered at P <0.05 with adjusted odds ratios calculated at 95% CIs.

A total of 283 adolescents were participated in the study, with a response rate of 91.9%. The overall good self-perception of one's physical appearance was 48.4% [95% CI = 43.8, 54.1]. Having a BMI between 18.5 kg/m2-24.9 kg/m2 (AOR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.45, 4.54), presence of enough sport fields in the school (AOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.29), having daily access to internet services (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.94), following Ethiopian movies/cinemas (AOR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.46, 4.15), and regularly following western movies/cinemas (AOR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.59) were significantly associated with a good self-perception of one's physical appearance.

According to this study, only 48.4% of respondents reported a good self-perception of their physical appearance. Adolescents and their family need to work to bring normal body mass index, which in turn will increase good self-perceptions of their physical appearance. Schools and the local administrations need to increase availability and access to enough sport fields for students to strengthen their physical fitness, which increases their good self-perception of their physical appearance.