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How Do I Look? Body Image Perceptions among University Students from England and Denmark

Author

Listed:
  • Walid El Ansari

    (Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Care, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, UK)

  • Susanne Vodder Clausen

    (Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Andi Mabhala

    (Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Chester, Chester, UK)

  • Christiane Stock

    (Unit for Health Promotion Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Vej 9-10, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark)

Abstract

This study examined differences in body image perception between university students in two European countries, United Kingdom and Denmark. A total of 816 British and 548 Danish university students participated in a cross-sectional survey. A self-administered questionnaire assessed socio-demographic information, body image perception (as “too thin”, “just right” or “too fat”), and the association of related factors with body image perception (nutrition behaviour, social support, perceived stressors and quality of life). The proportions of students who perceived themselves as “too thin”, “just right”, or “too fat” were 8.6%, 37.7%, and 53.7% respectively. Multi-factorial logistic regression analysis showed that students who perceived themselves as “too fat” were more likely to be from the British university, to be females, to be older than 30 years, to report stress due to their financial situation and were less likely to have a high quality of life.The findings highlight the need for interventions with focus on healthy food choices whilst acknowledging financial stressors and quality of life.

Suggested Citation

  • Walid El Ansari & Susanne Vodder Clausen & Andi Mabhala & Christiane Stock, 2010. "How Do I Look? Body Image Perceptions among University Students from England and Denmark," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:2:p:583-595:d:7155
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chung, Haejoo & Muntaner, Carles, 2007. "Welfare state matters: A typological multilevel analysis of wealthy countries," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(2), pages 328-339, February.
    2. Raphael, Dennis & Bryant, Toba, 2004. "The welfare state as a determinant of women's health: support for women's quality of life in Canada and four comparison nations," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 63-79, April.
    3. Ingrid Kiefer & Barbara Leitner & Rosemarie Bauer & Anita Rieder, 2000. "Body weight: The male and female perception," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 45(6), pages 274-278, November.
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    1. Walid El Ansari & Christiane Stock & The UK Student Health Group: Sherrill Snelgrove & Xiaoling Hu & Sian Parke & Shân Davies & Jill John & Hamed Adetunji & Mary Stoate & Pat Deeny & Ceri Phillips & A, 2011. "Feeling Healthy? A Survey of Physical and Psychological Wellbeing of Students from Seven Universities in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Walid El Ansari & Reza Oskrochi & Ghollamreza Haghgoo, 2014. "Are Students’ Symptoms and Health Complaints Associated with Perceived Stress at University? Perspectives from the United Kingdom and Egypt," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Dana Badau & Adela Badau, 2018. "Identifying the Incidence of Exercise Dependence Attitudes, Levels of Body Perception, and Preferences for Use of Fitness Technology Monitoring," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Walid El Ansari & Christiane Stock & Ceri Phillips & Andi Mabhala & Mary Stoate & Hamed Adetunji & Pat Deeny & Jill John & Shan Davies & Sian Parke & Xiaoling Hu & Sherrill Snelgrove, 2011. "Does the Association between Depressive Symptomatology and Physical Activity Depend on Body Image Perception? A Survey of Students from Seven Universities in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Ruth Kaziga & Charles Muchunguzi & Dorcus Achen & Susan Kools, 2021. "Beauty Is Skin Deep; The Self-Perception of Adolescents and Young Women in Construction of Body Image within the Ankole Society," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, July.

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