Perception of body image and its association with sociocultural factors: A cross-sectional study among college students from northeast India

Abstract

Background: Body image pertains to one's personal perception of their physical characteristics and appearance. However, as individuals, we tend to acquire knowledge by observing others, which can make us vulnerable to the influence of sociocultural messages related to physical appearance and beauty in our immediate environment, such as family, peers, and media. Aim: The primary objective of the current study was to examine the potential impact of sociocultural factors, namely gender, family, peer, and media, on body image satisfaction. Method: The present study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional research design to examine body image concerns among college-going students in the Kamrup metropolis. The study comprised 400 participants, including both male and female students between the ages of 18 to 21 years. Convenience sampling was employed to select participants who expressed interest in taking part in the study. Tools: To evaluate body image satisfaction/dissatisfaction among the student participants, the Body Area Satisfaction scale was employed. In addition, the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) was utilized to measure the impact of sociocultural pressure on body image. Results: Results showed that 66.3% of students were satisfied with their body image where whereas only 33.3% were dissatisfied.  Pearson correlation analysis revealed that sociocultural factors such as family pressure, peer, and media were negatively correlated with body image satisfaction, and this correlation was found to be significant at 0.01 level. Significance of gender was found in body image satisfaction among male (M=3.37, SD=.652) and female students (M=3.198, SD==.676), where t=2.642, p <0.01. Conclusion: The current study enhances the understanding of body image concerns among students in Guwahati City, Assam. The results indicate a noteworthy prevalence of body image dissatisfaction among students, with a discernible difference between genders. The study further suggests that sociocultural factors, such as family pressure, peer influence, and media exposure, play a significant role in the development of distorted views pertaining to one's own body shape, size, weight, and other related factors. Therefore, the study highlights the criticality of considering sociocultural factors in understanding body image issues.

Keywords: Body image, dissatisfaction, family pressure, peer pressure, media pressure