Measurement and Comparison of the body image of girls and boys aged from eleven to fourteen from three different communes of the Araucania Region through the completion of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ)

Abstract

The body image and the negative perceptions, which one has of the satine, are predictors of changes in behaviour associated with alimentation (dieting), personal self-esteem and avoiding behaviour (Castrillon Moreno, 2007). The goal of the presented study was to measure and compare the preoccupation for the body image of 304 boys and girls between 11 and 14 years, with the results of national and international investigations. A rninimum of 33 and a maximum of 159 points becarne olear as a result (Mean= 61,16; DT=28.74). The average age of the subjects was 12,7 years (DT=0,7914). There were 5 cases of extreme preoccupation (2,3%) in the female population and nene in the male. lt was concluded that the percentage of extreme preoccupation lower was than in other Latin-American and European studies. Further research is necessary for other national populations and in particular for the male sex, it is also recommendable lo widen the age range of the studied population.