Prevalence of poor body image and its correlation with self-esteem and depression in middle-aged women

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of poor body image and its influence on low self-esteem and depression in middle-aged women.

Methods

The study was a cross-sectional survey of 372 women using a predesigned online questionnaire. Main outcome measures were mean scores on the nine-point body image scale (BIS) and prevalence of poor body image (BIS ≥ 10). Significant sociodemographic, physical and mental health predictors of BIS ≥ 10 were established using logistic regression analysis. Correlation of body image with self-esteem, assessed by Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale, and depression, assessed by Beck’s Depression Inventory, was established using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the odds ratios were determined using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The mean scores obtained for body image were 5.52 (standard deviation 4.82) and the prevalence of BIS ≥ 10 was 17.4%. Significant predictors of poor body image were education status (0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.39–0.89), body mass index (2.26, 95% CI = 1.12–4.55), social support structure (0.35, 95% CI = 0.16–0.79), diagnosis of mental illness (3.74, 95% CI = 1.31–10.66) and perception of menopause (positive vs. negative: 0.20, 95% CI = 0.07–0.55). Body image scores correlated with self-esteem (r = −0.46; 95% CI = −0.54 to −0.38) and depression (r = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.52–0.65). BIS ≥ 10 significantly increased the odds of low self-esteem (5.71; 95% CI = 2.66–12.26) and depression (11.25; 95% CI = 4.9–27.7).

Conclusions

The prevalence of poor body image in middle-aged women was 17.4%. This strongly correlated with low self-esteem and depression. A lower education status, higher body mass index, a negative perception of menopause, poor social support structure and a history of mental health diagnosis increased the odds of poor body image prevalence in middle-aged women.

摘要

目标: 本研究旨在确定中年妇女中身体形象不满意的流行率及其预测因素, 并研究其对低自尊和抑郁的影响。

方法: 本研究采用横断面调查方式, 通过预设计的在线问卷调查372名妇女。主要结果指标是九点身体形象量表(BIS)的平均得分和身体形象不满意(BIS ≥ 10)的流行率。使用logistic回归分析确定了BIS ≥ 10的显著社会人口学、身体和心理健康预测因素。使用皮尔逊相关系数建立了身体形象与自尊(通过罗森伯格自尊量表评估)和抑郁(通过贝克抑郁量表评估)的相关性, 并使用逻辑回归分析确定了比值比。

结果: 身体形象的平均得分为5.52(标准差4.82), BIS ≥ 10的流行率为17.4%。身体形象不满意的显著预测因素包括教育状况(0.59, 95%置信区间[CI] = 0.39–0.89)、体质量指数(2.26, 95%CI = 1.12–4.55)、社会支持结构(0.35, 95%CI = 0.16–0.79)、心理疾病诊断(3.74, 95%CI = 1.31–10.66)和对更年期的认知(积极对比消极: 0.20, 95%CI = 0.07–0.55)。身体形象得分与自尊(r= −0.46；95%CI= −0.54至−0.38)和抑郁(r = 0.59；95%CI = 0.52–0.65)相关。BIS ≥ 10显著增加了低自尊(5.71；95%CI = 2.66–12.26)和抑郁(11.25；95%CI = 4.9–27.7)的风险。

结论: 中年妇女中身体形象不满意的流行率为17.4%。这与低自尊和抑郁强烈相关。较低的教育状况、较高的体质量指数、对更年期的消极看法、较差的社会支持结构和心理健康诊断史等, 增加了中年妇女中身体形象不满意流行率的风险。

Keywords:

• Middle-aged women
• body image
• prevalence
• self-esteem
• depression

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all women who participated in this survey, and to Aishwarya Raviganesh who helped disseminate this survey. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Potential conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Source of funding

None.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to restrictions; for example, their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.