Relationships between Body Composition and Body Image in Young Females

• Published in: Rigaku ryoho kagaku Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 713 - 717
• Main Authors: IMAI, Yuko, KUBO, Akira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Tokyo The Society of Physical Therapy Science 2019; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Body composition; Body fat; Body image; Body mass index; Musculoskeletal system; Self image; young female
• ISSN: 1341-1667; 2434-2807
• DOI: 10.1589/rika.34.713

[Purpose] To investigate relationships between body composition and body image in young females. [Participants and Methods] Forty young females were recruited for this study. Their body weights, Body Mass Index (BMI), Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI), Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI), and Fat Mass Index (FMI) were measured or calculated, and their present and ideal body images were assessed by questionnaire. The measured and calculated values were statistically compared, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was calculated. A single regression analysis was performed on items showing correlations. [Results] Present body image had highly significant positive relationships with body weight, BMI, percent body fat, body fat mass, SMI, and FMI, whereas it had a weakly significant positive relationship with soft lean mass and FFMI. [Conclusion] The results suggest that body weight, BMI, percent body fat, body fat mass, soft lean mass, SMI, FFMI and FMI may be indexes of present body image.