A Study on Assessment and Correlations between Eating Attitudes, Body Image Perception and Self-esteem in Medical Students of Mumbai

• Published in: Indian journal of social psychiatry : official publication of Indian Association for Social Psychiatry Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 259 - 266
• Main Authors: Shah, Priyanshi Vikas, Somaiya, Mansi P., Subramanyam, Alka Anand
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mumbai Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.09.2024; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Attitudes; Body image; body image perception; Body mass index; eating attitudes; eating disorders; Medical students; Self esteem; Self image
• ISSN: 0971-9962; 2454-8316
• DOI: 10.4103/ijsp.ijsp_74_23

Introduction: Adolescents and young adults place significant value to appearance. Medical students are likely to be vulnerable to dissatisfaction with appearance and maladaptive eating attitudes. Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to study the eating attitudes, body image perception, and self-esteem in MBBS students and their correlations with each other and with body mass index (BMI), to identify students at risk and possibly plan measures for intervention. Methodology: A study was conducted on 700 medical students (including interns), with electronic questionnaires assessing sociodemographic data, eating attitudes, body image perception, and self-esteem. Using the Chi-square tests and t -tests, the parameters were studied and correlations using Spearman’s rank correlation were established. Results: Students with a higher BMI were at a greater risk of eating disorder (ED), higher concerns with body perception, and lowered self-esteem. Those with a higher risk of ED were associated with body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem. Body image distortions were associated with low self-esteem. Conclusions: ED risk is associated with body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem in medical students. Future studies are required to establish this relation.