Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of bodyimage distortion in eutrophic women with overweight and obese, attending the gym in the city of Uberlandia-MG. Materials and Methods: 30 women between 20 and 30 years old, divided in three groups (BMI between 18.5 and 25, BMI between 25.1 and 30 and BMI above 30 kg/m2), were studied. We evaluated the distortion of body image with Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). The silhouettes scale proposed by Stunkard was used to analyze the body satisfaction. Waist circumference was measured using a tape measure with anaccuracy of one millimeter. Results: Distortion of body image occurred in 60% of eutrophic women, in 90% of overweight women and in 100% of the obese women. Body dissatisfaction was found in three groups, but in the eutrophic women, 20% was for the leanness and 70% is for the overweight. In the groups of the overweight and obese women, 100% are dissatisfied by overweight. Discussion: The high prevalence of distortion and dissatisfaction with weight may be related to the fact that most gym-goers looking forthis space in order to improve physical appearance. Conclusion: Distortion of body image and dissatisfaction with body weight are present in all three groups, but the prevalence is higher in overweight and obese women. The body dissatisfaction of overweight and obese women was equal.

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