Relationship between self-perceived body image and excess weight among women in southern Morocco

• Mohamed Boukrim ^{[1] [7]} ; Majdouline Obtel ^{[2] [7]} ; Abderrahmane Achbani ^{[1] [3]} ; Abdellatif Ait Ougjij ^{[1] [4]} ; Hasna Sine ^{[1] [5]} ; Hanane Hababa ^[6] ; Rachid Razine ^{[2] [7]}
  1. [1] Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Marrakech
  2. [2] Laboratory of Social Medicine (Public Health, Hygiene and Preventive Medicine), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University, 10100 Rabat, Morocco
  3. [3] Department of Biology. Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
  4. [4] Laboratory of Biological Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Béni Mellal, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
  5. [5] Medical biology, human and experimental pathology and environment, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University, 10100 Rabat, Morocco
  6. [6] Regional Directorate of Health, Marrakech Safi Region, Ministry of health and social protection, Morocco
  7. [7] Laboratoire of Biostatistics, clinical Research and Epidemiology- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. Mohamed V University, Rabat, Morocco

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• Localización: Academic Journal of Health Sciences: Medicina Balear, ISSN-e 2255-0560, Vol. 38, Nº. 5, 2023, págs. 15-21
• Idioma: inglés
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Relación entre la imagen corporal autopercibida y el exceso de peso entre las mujeres del sur de Marruecos
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  • español

    Introducción y objetivos: La percepción de la obesidad difiere según las sociedades. En los países en desarrollo, la obesidad se consideraba un signo de alto estatus social y un símbolo de belleza y prosperidad. En los países occidentales, la obesidad se veía negativamente y el control corporal se consideraba una marca de sociedad civilizada. El estudio pretende describir la percepción que tienen las mujeres del sur de Marruecos del exceso de peso y los factores asociados. Metodología: El estudio se realizó en centros de salud de la región sur de Marruecos. Los datos se recogieron mediante un cuestionario. El peso y la estatura se midieron respectivamente con una báscula mecánica/electrónica y una cinta métrica graduada en centímetros. La percepción se evaluó mediante la escala de evaluación de la forma corporal de Stunkard. Resultados: Los datos antropométricos mostraron que el 37,3% de las mujeres tenían un peso normal, el 33,9% (IC95% [30,03-37,77]) tenían sobrepeso y el 25,2% eran obesas (IC95% [21,65-28,75]). Los resultados mostraron que más de tres cuartas partes (76,04%; n=438) de las mujeres estaban insatisfechas con su imagen corporal y el 77% (n=443) de las participantes consideraban que el sobrepeso era una enfermedad. El estudio reveló que las mujeres que estaban satisfechas con su imagen corporal (OR=0,235; IC95% [0,15-0,35]) y el deseo de perder peso tenían efectos protectores frente al desarrollo de sobrepeso (OR=0,46; IC95% [0,30-0,70]). Sin embargo, las mujeres con una representación positiva de las mujeres con sobrepeso tenían un riesgo de 1,60 de desarrollar un aumento de peso (OR=1,60; IC95% [1,60-1,03]) Conclusión: El estudio mostró un cambio en la percepción del sobrepeso por parte de las participantes. La reducción de la magnitud de este problema de salud pública requiere estrategias que consideren este cambio para reducir la prevalencia del aumento de peso, en particular entre las mujeres jóvenes y los estudiantes.

  • English

    Introduction and aim: The perception of obesity differs between societies. In developing countries, obesity was seen as a sign of high social status and a symbol of beauty and prosperity. In Western countries, obesity was viewed negatively and body control was seen as a mark of civilised society. The study, aims to describe perception womens in southern Morocco towards excess weight and the associated factors. Methods: Study was conducted in health centres in the southern region of Morocco. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured respectively by a mechanical/electronic scale and a tape measure graduated in centimetres. The perception was assessed using the Stunkard body shape assessment scale. Results: Anthropometric data showed that 37.3% of women were normal weight, 33.9% (IC95% [30.03-37.77]) were overweight and 25.2% were obese (IC95% [21.65-28.75]). Results showed that over three quarters (76.04%; n=438) of the women were dissatisfied with their body image and 77% (n=443) of the participants considered overweight to be a disease. The study revealed that women who were satisfied with their body image (OR=0.235; CI95% [0.15-0.35]) and desire to lose weight had protective effects against developing overweight (OR=0.46; CI95% [0.30-0.70]). However, women with a positive representation of overweight women had a 1.60 risk of developing weight gain (OR=1.60; 95% CI [1.60-1.03]). Conclusion: the study showed a change in the participants’ perception of overweight. Reducing the magnitude of this public health problem requires strategies that consider this shift towards reducing the prevalence of weight gain, particularly among young women and students.