Abstract

MARCUZZO, Miquela; PICH, Santiago  and  DITTRICH, Maria Glória. Construction of body image among obese subjects and its relationship with the contemporary imperatives for body beautification. Interface (Botucatu) [online]. 2012, vol.16, n.43, pp. 943-956.  Epub Nov 30, 2012. ISSN 1414-3283.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1414-32832012005000041.

Body image is identified as the mental representation of the individual's own body, constructed based on physiological, libidinal and social dimensions. Social factors have the greatest importance, because of the influence of body esthetic values in contemporary society. This affects obese people with particular intensity. The present study aimed to comprehend how the imperatives of body esthetics influence the formation of body image among morbidly obese men and women aged from twenty to 43 years. Focused life history was used as the methodology, and in-depth interviews were the data collection instrument. The results showed that the women were more dissatisfied with their bodies, mainly because of the comparisons with images in the media. It was seen that social structures are built based on the body characteristics of the "average man". Elements inherent to body image distortion were observed in all their constitutive dimensions.

Keywords : Body image; Obesity; Imperatives of body esthetics.