Factors associated with dissatisfaction with body image in students of health courses in Belem-PA

Introduction: The body image can be defined as the image that one has of the body itself and the feelings related to its size, shape and constituent parts. Objective: To verify the prevalence of dissatisfaction's index concerning to body image and its associated factors among college students in health area in Belem-PA. Materials and Methods: The analysis was cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study and by convenience. Data collection was get through online questionnaire. Data on body image dissatisfaction were collected through silhouette scales, socioeconomic data (sex, age, marital status, household and family income), nutritional status (Body Mass Index - BMI) and physical activity practice. In data analysis it was used descriptive analysis by means of relative and absolute frequencies, besides the using of Chi-square test. A significant level was adopted at 5% (p < 0.05), and STATA software version 12.0 was used for calculations. Results: 253 universities students from the health area were evaluated, with avarage age between 20 and 22 years and the majority was comprised by female (81.42%). It was verified that 68.77% of the students were eutrophic and a significant data of sedentary ones (50,98%). The prevalence of students dissatisfied with body image concerning to low body mass was 26.48% and students dissatisfied with overweight was 49.01%. Only 24.51% was happy with their self-image. Conclusion: The universities students evaluated showed a considerable prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and it was related to lack of physical activities, which is a troubling factor as they are future health professionals.