Karime Jiménez-Limas 1,* , Verónica Anayansi Miranda-Barrera 1, Karla Fernanda Muñoz-Díaz 1, Samantha Ruth Novales-Huidobro 1 and Gabriela Chico-Barba 1,2,*
1 School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City 03920, Mexico
2 Nutrition and Bioprogramming Coordination, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City 11000, Mexico
* Correspondence: kjimenez@up.edu.mx (K.J.-L.); gabyc3@gmail.com (G.C.-B.)
Abstract: University students, as young adults, are at risk for Body Dissatisfaction (BD) and Distorted Body Image (DBI), which are related to Disordered Eating Behaviors (DEBs). This study aimed to assess changes in the prevalence of these three conditions over six years; and the associations between them. Data was collected through an annual online survey from 2017 to 2022 at a private university in Mexico City. Students between 18–30 years old were invited to participate. Body image-related variables were assessed by the Stunkard’s Silhouettes and Body Mass Index, by self-reported height and weight. Disordered Eating Behaviors were measured by the Brief Disordered Eating Behaviors Questionnaire. A median of 250 students participated per year, with a median age of 21 years old. The prevalence was 63.5–71.7% for BD, 40.4–49.1% for DBI, and 25–38.3% for DEBs. DEBs and BD showed associations during the whole period (OR from 3.6 to 15.9, p ≤ 0.001); as well as DBI with DEBs (OR from 1.9 to 3.3, p < 0.05). Alterations in Body Image and eating behaviors are common conditions, mainly in women and in the young population. Therefore, it is important to promote screening for these conditions, as they usually remain undiagnosed, their prevalence is increasing worldwide, and their impact on physical and mental health has already been acknowledged.
Keywords: Body Dissatisfaction; Distorted Body Image; Disordered Eating Behaviors; Risky Eating Behaviors; Body Image; Desired Body Image; Body Percept; Body Perception; Mexico; Young Adulthood
1. Introduction
1.1. Body Image-Related Variables
Body Image consists of a set of three complex intentional dimensions, in which the object of such dimensions is one’s own body: Body Percept, which refers to the subject’s total or partial perception of her/his own body; Body Concept, which refers to the concep-tual understanding about one´s body (including folk, mythical and scientific knowledge); and Body Affect, which refers to the subject´s attitude towards her/his own body [1]. The main dimension referred to when assessing Body Image is Body Percept (BP). A person´s BP may differ from the Body Image she or he wishes they had; this is known as Body Dissatisfaction (BD) [2]. Meanwhile, as BP is not necessarily linked to the actual physical composition, there can also be a discrepancy between these two, known as Distorted Body Image (DBI) [3–5].
