Abstracts
OBJECTIVE
To comprehend the perception of body image in adolescence.
METHODS
A qualitative study was conducted with eight focus groups with 96 students of both sexes attending four public elementary school institutions in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, in 2013. An interview guide with questions about the adolescents’ feelings in relation to: their bodies, standards of idealized beauty, practice of physical exercise and sociocultural influences on self-image. In the data analysis we sought to understand and interpret the meanings and contradictions of narratives, understanding the subjects’ context and reasons and the internal logic of the group.
RESULTS
Three thematic categories were identified. The influence of media on body image showed the difficulty of achieving the perfect body and is viewed with suspicion in face of standards of beauty broadcast; the importance of a healthy body was observed as standards of beauty and good looks were closely linked to good physical condition and result from having a healthy body; the relationship between the standard of beauty and prejudice, as people who are not considered attractive, having small physical imperfections, are discriminated against and can be rejected or even excluded from society.
CONCLUSIONS
The standard of perfect body propagated by media influences adolescents’ self-image and, consequently, self-esteem and is considered an unattainable goal, corresponding to a standard of beauty described as artificial and unreal. However, it causes great suffering and discrimination against those who do not feel they are attractive, which can lead to health problems resulting from low self-esteem.
Adolescent; Body Image; Self Concept; Social Stigma; Video-Audio Media; Qualitative Research
OBJETIVO
Compreender a percepção da imagem corporal entre adolescentes.
MÉTODOS
Estudo qualitativo conduzido com oito grupos focais com 96 estudantes no total, de ambos os sexos, do ensino fundamental de quatro escolas públicas no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, em 2013. Foi utilizado roteiro com questões sobre sentimentos dos adolescentes em relação a: corpo, padrão de beleza idealizado, prática de exercícios físicos e influência sociocultural sobre a autoimagem. Para análise dos dados, buscou-se compreender e interpretar os sentidos das narrativas e suas contradições, apreendendo o contexto, as razões dos sujeitos e a lógica interna do grupo.
RESULTADOS
Foram identificadas três categorias temáticas. Influência da mídia na imagem corporal expressou a dificuldade de se alcançar um corpo perfeito e a desconfiança diante dos padrões de beleza difundidos; a importância do corpo saudável foi observada à medida que o padrão de beleza e boa aparência apresentaram-se intimamente ligados à boa condição física e decorrentes de um corpo saudável; a relação entre padrão de beleza e preconceito quanto às pessoas que não são consideradas atraentes por apresentarem pequenas imperfeições corporais, podendo ser discriminadas, rejeitadas e até mesmo excluídas do convívio social.
CONCLUSÕES
O padrão de corpo perfeito propagado pela mídia influencia a autoimagem e, consequentemente, a autoestima dos adolescentes e é considerado objetivo inatingível por corresponder a padrão de beleza descrito como artificial e irreal. Entretanto, provoca grande sofrimento e discriminação naqueles que não se sentem atraentes, o que pode levar a problemas de saúde decorrentes da baixa autoestima.
INTRODUCTION
Issues relating to body image are becoming more and more apparent in the field of
health and influence the way the subject constructs their identity, as well as the
way they perceive their own body and what they view as healthy. Research into body
image shows its relationship with pathologies such as depression and eating
disorders, associated with the negative side of body image, expressing the subject’s
dissatisfaction with their own body.55 Cash TF, Pruzinsky T. Future challenges for body image theory,
research, and clinical practice. In: Cash TF, Pruzinsky T, editors. Body image:
a handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice. New York: Guilford Press;
2002. p.509-16.,1717 Needham BL, Crosnoe R. Overweight status and depressive symptoms
during adolescence. J Adolesc Health. 2005;36(1):48-55.
DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.200...
,2222 Ricciardelli LA, McCabe MP. Self-esteem and negative affect as
moderators of sociocultural influences on body dissatisfaction, strategies to
decrease weight, and strategies to increase muscles among adolescent boys and
girls. Sex Roles. 2001;44(3-4):189-207.
DOI:10.1023/A:1010955120359
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010955120359...
Moreover, sociocultural influences, such as idealized
figures in the media, diets, the way being thin is valued and personal insults from
peers on being overweight are recognized risk factors for increased dissatisfaction
with the body.22 Avalos LC, Tylka TL. Exploring a model of intuitive eating with
college women. J Couns Psychol. 2006;53(4):486-97.
DOI:10.1037/0022-0167.53.4.486
https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.4.4...
,1313 Jones DC, Vigfusdottir TH, LeeY. Body image and the appearance
culture among adolescent girls and boys: an examination of friend conversations,
peer criticism, appearance magazines, and the internalization of appearance
ideals. J Adolescent Res. 2004;19(3):323-39.
DOI:10.1177/0743558403258847
https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558403258847...
Evaluating the development and expression of body image is very relevant to public
health,55 Cash TF, Pruzinsky T. Future challenges for body image theory,
research, and clinical practice. In: Cash TF, Pruzinsky T, editors. Body image:
a handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice. New York: Guilford Press;
2002. p.509-16. especially in the
period of adolescence, when dissatisfaction with the body is highly prevalent.99 Halliwell E, Dittmar H. A qualitative investigation of women’s and
men’s body image concerns and their attitudes toward aging. Sex
Roles. 2003;49(11-12):675-84.
DOI:10.1023/B:SERS.0000003137.71080.97
https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.000000313...
,2222 Ricciardelli LA, McCabe MP. Self-esteem and negative affect as
moderators of sociocultural influences on body dissatisfaction, strategies to
decrease weight, and strategies to increase muscles among adolescent boys and
girls. Sex Roles. 2001;44(3-4):189-207.
DOI:10.1023/A:1010955120359
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010955120359...
Adolescence is a period in which the individual
undergoes significant, potentially negative, bio-psycho-social changes and is
“morbidly preoccupied with how they appear to others”.1111 Holmqvist K, Frisén A. “I bet they aren’t that perfect in reality:”
appearance ideals viewed from the perspective of adolescent with a positive body
image. Body Image. 2012;9(3):388-95.
DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.03.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.03...
However, the majority of research on body image
is conducted with adults and is of a quantitative nature, which does not the allow
process through which the studied groups’ perceptions, attitudes and social
representations are constructed to be studied.22 Avalos LC, Tylka TL. Exploring a model of intuitive eating with
college women. J Couns Psychol. 2006;53(4):486-97.
DOI:10.1037/0022-0167.53.4.486
https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.4.4...
,2626 Swami V, Hadji-Michael M, Furnham A. Personality and individual
difference correlates of positive body image. Body Image.
2008;5(3):322-5. DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.03.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.03...
The aim of this study was to understand the perception of body image in adolescents.
METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES
This was a qualitative study conducted with adolescents from four public educational institutions in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Southeastern Brazil, in the first semester of 2013. Students of both sexes from the eighth and ninth grade participated.
As research suggests that adolescents in the south of Rio de Janeiro city – the area
with the highest purchasing power – are those most represented in the media,1818 Njaine K. Sentidos da violência ou a violência sem sentido: o olhar
dos adolescentes sobre a mídia. Interface (Botucatu).
2006;10(20):381-92. DOI:10.1590/S1414-32832006000200008
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1414-3283200600...
private and public schools in
this geographic area were listed. The team only obtained permission to carry out the
research in municipal schools, where group meetings were conducted. The schools,
located in the Laranjeiras, Gávea and Vidigal neighborhoods, were selected based on
a list provided by the municipal education coordinator.
Two focus groups, one of male and one of female students, were set up after hours in
each school making a total of eight focus groups. It was decided to conduct the
discussion groups separated by sex as previous research suggested that body image
norms and rules differ for males and females.1010 Hargreaves DA, Tiggemann M. ‘Body image is for girls’: a
qualitative study of boys’ body image. J Health Psychol.
2006;11(4):567-76. DOI:10.1177/1359105306065017
https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105306065017...
The number of focus groups followed the criterion of
saturation for the topics approached.77 Fontanella BJB, Ricas J, Turato ER. Amostragem por saturação em
pesquisas qualitativas em saúde: contribuições teóricas. Cad Saude
Publica. 2008;24(1):17-27.
DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2008000100003
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X200800...
The discussions, led by a pair of researchers, followed a pre-established script
containing topics that provided the basis of the debate and about which the
adolescents were invited to express their feelings. The discussions centered on body
image and its importance in day-to-day life; on the factors that can influence
adolescents’ feelings regarding their bodies (parents, peers, the media…); on the
ideal of beauty presented by the media and by society; and on exercise and the
standard of beauty idealized by adolescents. The meetings were recorded and later
transcribed in order to classify the topics. The data were analyzed using the method
proposed by Minayo,1616 Minayo MCS. Análise qualitativa: teoria, passos e fidedignidade.
Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2012;17(3):621-6.
DOI:10.1590/S1413-81232012000300007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201200...
creating
categories, taking into account the understanding of the text and its
contradictions, seeking to understand the group’s internal logic.
The schools visited were well-structured for teaching, with appropriate facilities and computer and multi-media equipment. Classes had between 28 and 32 students. Ninety-six adolescents aged 13 to 18 participated in the study, 51 males and 45 females, with a mean of 12 participants/focus group. The meetings lasted between 50 min and an hour and were conducted in privacy. Of the 96 students, 47 were in the eighth grade (23 males and 24 females) and 49 were in the ninth grade (28 males and 21 females. There were two groups per school, composed of students in the same year and separated by gender. In the majority of the groups, the debates began timidly, soon becoming more heated with the most uninhibited participants dominating, so that the researcher had to intervene several times to avoid parallel discussions and to guarantee that everyone participated.
All of the students interviewed showed concern about self-image in their narrative. Even in those who denied such concern, contrary to their affirmations, it was possible to observe explicit care in the way they dressed, their hair and accessories, using hair dye, colorful sneakers, large and exotic earrings, among other things. This concern can also be seen in the comments they made about their own appearance and that of other participants.
At the end of the study, the results obtained were shown to the focus group participants, aiming for valid and reliable data produced in the research.
The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (CEP/HUPE: 2957/2011 – CAAE: 0106.0.228.000-11) and by the Municipal Secretariat Coordinator of Education, Rio de Janeiro (Process 07/006499/2012). The institutions involved, and the parents of the adolescents signed informed consent forms.
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The students’ narratives were classified and interpreted based on the research assumptions, and three main categories resulted: influence of the media on body image, importance of a healthy body and the relationship between standards of beauty and discrimination.
Media influence on body image
The participants recognized the existence of a standard of physical appearance
considered by society to be the ideal, and described it in detail. Thus, the
perfect male body was reported to be tall, muscular and tanned, with broad
shoulders, defined biceps and a “6-pack” stomach. The idealized female body was
slim yet curvy, and of medium height. We observed detailed representations on
the body characteristics most valued in women, especially in the discourse of
the female students, something that was not seen in relation to the male body.
This finding, that female adolescents are generally more detailed in their
criticism, is in agreement with the research conducted by Manderson et al,1515 Manderson L, Bennett E, Andajani-Sutjahjo S. The social dynamics of
the interview: age, class, and gender. Qual Health Res.
2006;16(10):1317-34. DOI:10.1177/1049732306294512
https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732306294512...
which shows that in interview
situations women tend to respond in detail and are more enthusiastic about
telling “their story”, whereas men tend to be more succinct and direct in their
arguments.
On the other hand, adolescents of both sexes were unanimous in criticizing
obesity and being overweight, deeming this state to be incompatible with the
model of male or female beauty and considering it as something undesirable. The
greater demand for women to have a slim body partly results from the media
exhibiting and broadcasting images of ideal female beauty in relation to
masculine figures. This accumulated message subjectively pressures women to fit
into the dominant standard of beauty1111 Holmqvist K, Frisén A. “I bet they aren’t that perfect in reality:”
appearance ideals viewed from the perspective of adolescent with a positive body
image. Body Image. 2012;9(3):388-95.
DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.03.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.03...
,1313 Jones DC, Vigfusdottir TH, LeeY. Body image and the appearance
culture among adolescent girls and boys: an examination of friend conversations,
peer criticism, appearance magazines, and the internalization of appearance
ideals. J Adolescent Res. 2004;19(3):323-39.
DOI:10.1177/0743558403258847
https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558403258847...
with the above characteristics related by the
adolescents. Moreover, there are more magazines with a substantial amount of
advertising on diet and exercise aimed at women than at men.11 Andersen AE, DiDomenico L. Diet vs. shape content of popular male
and female magazines: a dose-response relationship to the incidence of eating
disorders? Int J Eat Disord.1992;11(3):283-87.
DOI:10.1002/1098-108X(199204)11:3<283::AID-EAT2260110313>3.0.CO;2-O
https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-108X(199204...
These experiences may
contribute to women’s increased concern in achieving beauty ideals.
This difference between sexes was verified in research by Halliwell &
Dittmar99 Halliwell E, Dittmar H. A qualitative investigation of women’s and
men’s body image concerns and their attitudes toward aging. Sex
Roles. 2003;49(11-12):675-84.
DOI:10.1023/B:SERS.0000003137.71080.97
https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.000000313...
in which women
tended to view their bodies as made up of distinct parts, whereas men are more
prone to view their physical structure as one single and complete entity.
Another study, by Hargreaves & Tiggemann,1010 Hargreaves DA, Tiggemann M. ‘Body image is for girls’: a
qualitative study of boys’ body image. J Health Psychol.
2006;11(4):567-76. DOI:10.1177/1359105306065017
https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105306065017...
revealed that men may view physical appearance as
a topic they should not discuss, as this could be considered a “gay” or
“feminine” issue and make them appear more sensitive or vulnerable. In
consequence, male adolescents may feel uncomfortable and be less accustomed to
describing in detail what they consider to be ideal beauty in a man.
Although there was consensus within the group about the beauty standards they desired to achieve, the participants were also aware that these standards were unattainable and artificial. The adolescents reported how it was very difficult for one woman to have both a flawless face and a perfect body, just as the hypertrophied muscles of certain men were unnatural. Thus, the adolescents reported that such a perfect physical form was only possible for a woman through plastic surgery, and for a man through use of anabolic steroids, attitudes which they rejected.
Another relevant issue was criticism of the way images broadcast by the media were manipulated. The predominant idea was that the images of so-called perfect bodies were retouched using a computer and do not correspond to the way people are in real life. They recognized that there was a hidden intention, believing that the aim of using icons of beauty in commercials and advertising was to sell products. In clothing commercials, the veiled message of the company to its potential customers can be interpreted and summed up as one of the participants puts it:
“buy this clothing and you’ll look slim like this”.
Wood-Barcalow et al2828 Wood-Barcalow NL, Tylka TL, Augustus-Horvath CL. “But I like my
body”: positive body image characteristics and a holistic model for young-adult
women. Body Image. 2010;7(2):106-16.
DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.01.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.01...
found
very similar results in a piece of research conducted with university students,
who criticized the ideals of extremely thin women, photo re-touching and,
finally, the way the media transformed women into and object of consumption.
To summarize, this category shows that the adolescents’ concern with self-image follows the pattern of gender socializing in society, in which it is more part of a woman’s role than a man’s to care more for appearance. On the other hand, despite their criticism of the standards of beauty propagated by the media and deeming them manipulated and idealized, they struggled to follow them, showing the power of the media over them.
Importance of a health body
Having a healthy body stood out in the students’ narratives as the main objective for doing physical exercise. Although the beauty ideal for men consisted of an athletic body and that of women a slim but curvy physical structure, the students reported that their main goal for doing physical exercise was not to achieve these ideals. The valued bodily aesthetic is obtained as a consequence of exercises that provide physical health. The ideal of well-developed muscles was accepted by the adolescents when it mean masculinity, being in good physical condition and athletic, and was rejected when the body became too muscular, as in the findings of Pope et al.2020 Pope HG, Phillips KA, Olivardia R. The Adonis complex: the secret crisis of male body obsession. New York: Free Press; 2000.
Muscular mass and tone were considered significant results of doing physical activity by male participants, who associated well defined musculature as being in shape and healthy, as well as defining male beauty:
“... being in shape, toned, healthy and athletic...”
The boys valued physical activity mainly as a way to achieve being fit and not for the aesthetic aspect, even in cases where the aim of physical activity is specifically to lose weight. In contrast to women, the males did not refer to dieting to lose weight. According to research conducted by Brownmiller,44 Brownmiller S. Femininity. New York: Linden Books; 1984. dieting is generally perceived as female behavior, whereas for men, restricting food intake as a means of losing weight is not a popular topic.
Other data relevant to physical activity was its relationship with free-time
activities in groups with other adolescents. The students engaged more easily in
sports, games and exercise in company with other young people. More
specifically, the participants found that the main incentive for doing physical
activity was to have fun and to encourage healthy behavior with friends and
peers, with improving appearance a background motive. These findings are in
agreement with those of other studies using focus groups.1212 Humbert ML, Chad KE, Spink KS, Muhajarine N, Anderson KD, Bruner
MW, et al. Factors that influence physical activity participation among high-
and low-SES youth. Qual Health Res. 2006;16(4):467-83.
DOI:10.1177/1049732305286051
https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305286051...
,2727 Wilson DK, Williams J, Evans A, Mixon G, Rheaume C. A qualitative
study of gender preferences and motivational factors for physical activity in
underserved adolescents. J Pediatr Psychol. 2005;30(3):293-7.
DOI:10.1093/jpepsy/jsi039
https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsi039...
According to Prichard & Tiggemann,2121 Prichard I, Tiggemann M. Relations among exercise type,
self-objectification, and body image in the fitness centre environment: the role
of reasons for exercise. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2008;9(6):855-66.
DOI:10.1016/j.psychsport.2007.10.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.200...
exercise motivated only by
improving physical appearance has been associated with having a worse body
image, especially in women.
Peers’ opinions on doing exercise in order to have a healthy, beautiful body
affected the boys more than the models shown in the media, in contrast to the
female students who saw themselves reflected in media celebrities more easily.
Thus, based on the growing findings of qualitative and quantitative
research,1313 Jones DC, Vigfusdottir TH, LeeY. Body image and the appearance
culture among adolescent girls and boys: an examination of friend conversations,
peer criticism, appearance magazines, and the internalization of appearance
ideals. J Adolescent Res. 2004;19(3):323-39.
DOI:10.1177/0743558403258847
https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558403258847...
,2222 Ricciardelli LA, McCabe MP. Self-esteem and negative affect as
moderators of sociocultural influences on body dissatisfaction, strategies to
decrease weight, and strategies to increase muscles among adolescent boys and
girls. Sex Roles. 2001;44(3-4):189-207.
DOI:10.1023/A:1010955120359
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010955120359...
the mass media appear to influence body image less
in male adolescents than in females. The preference of the boys who participated
in this research was to have a slim but moderately muscular body, in contrast to
the females, who also sought a slim body, albeit with curves instead of muscles,
which was consistent with previous studies by Grogan & Richards88 Grogan S, Richards H. Body image: focus groups with boys and men.
Men Masc. 2002;4(3):219-32.
DOI:10.1177/1097184X02004003001
https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X02004003...
e Ridgeway & Tylka.2323 Ridgeway RT, Tylka TL. College men’s perceptions of ideal body
compositions and shape. Psychol Men Masc. 2005;6(3):209-20.
DOI:10.1037/1524-9220.6.3.209
https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.6.3.20...
There are various hypotheses to explain these findings, requiring further
research in order to be proven. Perhaps it is not acceptable for males to admit
that they are influenced by messages about their bodies. Male adolescents do not
perceive these messages, or may be reluctant to talk about their bodies,1010 Hargreaves DA, Tiggemann M. ‘Body image is for girls’: a
qualitative study of boys’ body image. J Health Psychol.
2006;11(4):567-76. DOI:10.1177/1359105306065017
https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105306065017...
or it may be because the
volume of messages aimed at boys is smaller than that aimed at girls.1111 Holmqvist K, Frisén A. “I bet they aren’t that perfect in reality:”
appearance ideals viewed from the perspective of adolescent with a positive body
image. Body Image. 2012;9(3):388-95.
DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.03.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.03...
,1313 Jones DC, Vigfusdottir TH, LeeY. Body image and the appearance
culture among adolescent girls and boys: an examination of friend conversations,
peer criticism, appearance magazines, and the internalization of appearance
ideals. J Adolescent Res. 2004;19(3):323-39.
DOI:10.1177/0743558403258847
https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558403258847...
Some studies1414 Kakeshita IS, Almeida SS. Relação entre índice de massa corporal e
a percepção da auto-imagem em universitários. Rev Saude
Publica. 2006;40(3):497-504.
DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102006000300019
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200600...
,2222 Ricciardelli LA, McCabe MP. Self-esteem and negative affect as
moderators of sociocultural influences on body dissatisfaction, strategies to
decrease weight, and strategies to increase muscles among adolescent boys and
girls. Sex Roles. 2001;44(3-4):189-207.
DOI:10.1023/A:1010955120359
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010955120359...
have shown the effects of
sociocultural influences on body image in female adolescents, with weight loss
being this age group’s main objective. However, for our interlocutors, the
exaggerated search for slimness was viewed negatively and associated with
disease, being generally criticized and not forming part of this group’s
culture. For the adolescents, especially girls, thinness is associated with
excessive, uncontrolled concern with having a slim body, incompatible with their
standard of beauty, as thinness was highlighted as something negative. This
exhaustive search culminates in neglecting health and with a body that has
exceeded the aesthetic limits of attractive and healthy. Physical activity was
reported as a tool for achieving a “normal”, “beautiful” and healthy body. Many
adolescents reported that to achieve beauty and health, a woman’s body should be
“normal” or meet “one single standard”, defined by them as being “neither fat
nor thin: neither overweight nor underweight”.
Relationship between standards of beauty and discrimination
The participants discussed discrimination, recognizing that there was
discrimination against individuals considered unattractive or having minor
physical defects. The adolescents stated that individuals were rejected and even
excluded when it was perceived that they made no effort to improve their
appearance. This shows the pressure that discriminated adolescents feel from the
group to meet pre-conceived standards of beauty. Dissatisfaction with body image
means that the individual who is not accepted socially seeks alternatives (gym,
plastic surgery taking medicine, among others) in order to correct what some
perceive as a defect. According to Costa,66 Costa JS. Educação inclusiva e orientação sexual: dá para combinar?
Psicol Cienc Prof. 2000;20(1):50-7.
DOI:10.1590/S1414-98932000000100007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1414-9893200000...
for adolescents, physical appearance outside the
so-called norms comes to mark the individual, distinguishing them from others in
a negative way. Only one aspect or attribute is noticed, making this difference
an exception and these individuals come to be viewed through this difference,
which may lead to social segregation.
From these conceptions, it can be seen that young people who do not fit in or who do not attempt to achieve beauty ideals are discriminated against, marginalized by their classmates or summarily excluded from social interaction and even attacked both morally and physically. This is illustrated in the following excerpt:
“If the guy is ugly but dresses well, has good sneakers, smells good… I try to forget his ugliness… I tolerate it… if not, a friendly hug!”
Nicknames are often used and often serve to emphasize negative characteristics
that the young person would rather conceal. According to Silva,2424 Silva LM. O estranhamento causado pela deficiência: preconceito e
experiência. Rev Bras Educ. 2006;11(33):424-34.
DOI:10.1590/S1413-24782006000300004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-2478200600...
those who are stigmatized are
easy prey for prejudice, especially as it is impossible to achieve a determined
standard of beauty. Many adolescents who are overweight are socially
marginalized2525 Strauss RS, Pollack HA. Social marginalization of overweight
children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003;157(8):746-52.
DOI:10.1001/archpedi.157.8.746
https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.157.8.7...
and
depressive symptoms linked to distorted body image are commonly found in
school-aged girls.1717 Needham BL, Crosnoe R. Overweight status and depressive symptoms
during adolescence. J Adolesc Health. 2005;36(1):48-55.
DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.200...
The young people’s narratives indicate that the culturally transmitted models
frequently have a negative impact on the perception the adolescents have of
themselves, showing that, if they are not to be excluded, they must live
according to imposed aesthetic standards and they lose themselves in the search
for their own identity. Discriminated individuals may believe that improving
their physical appearance will lead to improved self-esteem and acceptance by
the group and often engage in initiatives such as beauty treatments for the skin
and hair, weight loss treatments, dental treatment and cosmetic surgery, among
other procedures related to improving the perceived defect.1919 Pavan C, Simonato P, Marini M, Mazzoleni F, Pavan L, Vindigni V.
Psychopathologic aspects of body dysmorphic disorder: a literature review.
Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2008;32(3):473-84.
DOI:10.1007/s00266-008-9113-2
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9113-...
,2525 Strauss RS, Pollack HA. Social marginalization of overweight
children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003;157(8):746-52.
DOI:10.1001/archpedi.157.8.746
https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.157.8.7...
Although it is common for adolescents to have some
degree of dissatisfaction with their body image, those who are extremely
dissatisfied with their appearance may be suffering from a psychological
disorder known as body dysmorphic disorder.55 Cash TF, Pruzinsky T. Future challenges for body image theory,
research, and clinical practice. In: Cash TF, Pruzinsky T, editors. Body image:
a handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice. New York: Guilford Press;
2002. p.509-16.,1919 Pavan C, Simonato P, Marini M, Mazzoleni F, Pavan L, Vindigni V.
Psychopathologic aspects of body dysmorphic disorder: a literature review.
Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2008;32(3):473-84.
DOI:10.1007/s00266-008-9113-2
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9113-...
,a
a
Silva MLA, Taquette SR, Aboudib JHC. Transtorno Dismórfico Corporal:
contribuições para o cirurgião plástico. Rev Bras Cir Plast. No
prelo 2014.
In such cases, cosmetic surgery to improve body
image is doomed to fail, as there is no actual deformity and the surgery may
perhaps not cure concerns, which will always change with appearance.1919 Pavan C, Simonato P, Marini M, Mazzoleni F, Pavan L, Vindigni V.
Psychopathologic aspects of body dysmorphic disorder: a literature review.
Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2008;32(3):473-84.
DOI:10.1007/s00266-008-9113-2
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9113-...
At the end of the research, a synthesis of the results was produced and presented to the participants. Reflexive analysis on the perceptions revealed there showed that they recognized themselves in the texts presented, but were being politically correct when they emphasized they were against discrimination and claimed that they never bullied anyone with a defect, in school or in any other place.
Our study indicates that the students interviewed perceived that the media constructs models of beauty that are difficult to achieve. And that, although the adolescents attempted to follow the models, they demonstrated their own opinions and moderation in condemning excess in the search for idealized beauty. They recognized the existence of discrimination and prejudice against those who were considered unattractive. These results need to be further explored in order to construct prevention and intervention programs aimed at adolescents so as to avoid problems with body image and behavior associated with health risks.
We emphasize that this is a qualitative study, the aim is not to be numerically
representative but rather to gain an in-depth understanding of the facts, and we
highlight that our research was conducted with a convenience sample of
adolescent students in public schools, restricting the results. Another
limitation was that the focus groups were led by female researchers, as males
are perhaps more likely to discuss body image concerns with other males.33 Bottamini G, Ste-Marie DM. Male voices on body image. Int J
Mens Health. 2006;5(2):109-32.
DOI:10.3149/jmh.0502.109
https://doi.org/10.3149/jmh.0502.109...
Despite these limitations, the
study enables the constructs composing the concept of “standards of beauty” and
its repercussions on this group to be identified, contributing to understanding
health problems stemming from these constructs.
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a
Silva MLA, Taquette SR, Aboudib JHC. Transtorno Dismórfico Corporal: contribuições para o cirurgião plástico. Rev Bras Cir Plast. No prelo 2014.
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Article based on the doctoral thesis of Silva MLA, entitled: “Diretrizes para identificação precoce de transtornos dismórficos corporais em adolescentes e adultos jovens candidatos a cirurgia plástica estética”, presented to the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas of the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, in 2014.
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
June 2014
History
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Received
12 Aug 2013 -
Accepted
26 Feb 2014