Abstract

ELOSUA, Paula. Differential and modulator effect of body mass index on body dissatisfaction in two groups of Spanish and Mexicans young women. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.6, pp.2175-2181. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.6.6748.

Introduction: the high prevalence of body dissatisfaction among young women from developed countries is studied as a predictive factor, among others, of restrictive nutritional and feeding attitudes. Cultural and biological factors, such as body mass index and puberty, stand out as the most commonly studied variables in relation to body dissatisfaction. Objectives: To analyze the differential effect of body mass index on body dissatisfaction (BD) and its modulating effect in two different cultures, the Spanish and Mexican cultures. To look deeper into the evolution of body dissatisfaction according to age. Methodology: BMI and body dissatisfaction, measured with a 10-item scale, were studied in a big sample of young Spanish (N = 950) and Mexicans (N = 531) women, aged 15-21 years. The analyses were carried out according to the general linear model. Results and Discussion: A differential effect of BMI on BD was observed for the Mexican and the Spanish populations. The estimated regression line for the Spanish population is steeper, which reflects a greater effect of the BMI indexes on BD in this population. In both samples a decreasing pattern of BD levels was observed according to age and a modulating effect of BMI. Conclusion: To properly study the effect of several factors on BD it is important to include the BMI as a modulating variable. Its effect is significant and differential depending on the culture. Its inclusion or exclusion in studies concerning BD may significantly impair the results of any investigation.

Keywords : Body dissatisfaction; Body mass index; Age.

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