Original scientific paper

Body Image and Growth in Italy

Lisa Argnani
Stefania Toselli
Emanuela Gualdi-Russo

Abstract

The worrying increase of nutritional disorders and psychological discomfort in young population, mainly from western
societies, shows that body image could be a basic variable in a population screening especially during growth when
physical changes and biological and emotional development occur. This is one of the first studies in northern Italy investigating
differences in body shape concerns among different age-groups and sexes. The sample consisted of 1754 Italian
youths aged 11–23 years. Participants were examined during a cross-sectional study. Body image perception was assessed
using appropriate Body Silhouette Charts. Body Mass Index was calculated from measured height and weight. The
results demonstrated age variability and sexual dimorphism in body image perception. The analysis of body image perception
is a valid source of information and should be assessed in studies on youth growth, since it varies with age, sex,
population, pathologies and socio-cultural environment.

Keywords

body image perception; growth; body mass index

Hrčak ID:

27194

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/27194

Publication date:

7.7.2008.

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