Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: April | Volume: 8 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 3-10
Body Image Dissatisfaction and Psychological Distress among Adults with Excessive Body Weight
Linda Abou Abbas1, Zeina Nasser1, Pascale Salameh2, Zeinab Mansour3, Lina Abou Abbas4, Lamis Abou Abbas2, Youssef Fares5, Isabelle Godin6
1Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon & School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
2Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon,
3Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese university, Beirut, Lebanon
4Mcgill University Health Center-MUHC, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 5252 Boulevard de Maisonneuve-3.E.20 Montreal, QC, H4A 3S5,
5Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon,.
6Research Centre Social Approaches to Health, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium,
Corresponding Author: Linda Abou Abbas
ABSTRACT
Excessive body weight among adult population has emerged as a major public health concern in both developed and developing countries. This study examined the effects of actual body weight and body image dissatisfaction on psychological distress among adults with excessive body weight. A cross sectional study was conducted using a convenient sample of adults aged 18 to 40 years old with a body mass index higher than 25 Kg/m2. Participants were recruited from different institutions in Lebanon. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire including information about socio-demographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, weight and height measurements, and three standardized questionnaires namely the Beirut Distress Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Eating Attitude Test. The total number of participants was 200 of which 66.5 % were females with a mean age of 26.9 years. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that body shape dissatisfaction was associated with Psychological Distress in the overall sample (Standardized Beta= 0.40). The moderating effect of gender and body mass index categories was tested in the adjusted models using interaction terms. The association between body shape dissatisfaction and psychological distressdiffered by gender only (P-value for interaction=0.006). The positive relationship between body shape dissatisfaction and psychological distress was more pronounced among men (Standardized Beta= 0.59) than women (Standardized Beta= 0.28). However, no significant effect for body mass index on psychological distress was found. Body image dissatisfaction rather than excessive body weight per se is associated with greater risk for psychological distress.
Key words: Body Image Dissatisfaction; Psychological Distress; Body Mass Index; Excessive body weight; Adults.