Assessment of body image satisfaction in adolescents

Aim of the study is to assess the level of body image satisfaction among adolescents in high school. Primary objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of body image satisfaction among high school students and to analyze the association between body image satisfaction and demographic variables

such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Secondary objective of the study is to identify potential influencing factors, including social media exposure, peer influence, and self-esteem, on body image perception.

Consent will be obtained from the school Principal to conduct a cross sectional observational study among high school students aged 13 to 16 years. The study will be commenced after obtaining approval from Kasturba Medical College Manipal Institutional

Ethics Committee. A health education talk on “body image issues among adolescents” will be given to the students by the principal investigator before the data collection, following which a structured self-reported questionnaire called the ”Adolescent Body Image Satisfaction Scale (ABISS)” will be provided to each student meeting the inclusion criteria. Demographic and clinical data such as age, gender, parents occupation, diet, sleep, bowel and bladder habits etc will be noted down in the pre-designed proforma. Anthropometric data such as height, weight, waist/hip circumference will be noted. General physical examination and systemic examination will be performed and the findings will be noted down. Students will be categorized as normal BMI/ underweight/ overweight/obese. Based on the ABISS score the students will be categorized as having low/moderate/high body image satisfaction. The data will be compiled in an excel sheet and will be subjected to statistical analysis. Children with low body image satisfaction will be counselled by the principal investigator and will be referred to Kasturba Hospital Manipal for mental health support if indicated.