CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BODY IMAGE AND ADOLESCENTS’ HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL VARIABLES

The aim was to expand the existing knowledge on adolescents’ body image and its connections with health (Body Mass Index, sleep activity), psychological (well-being, physical self-concept), social (socio-economic status, diet) variables.
 246 students (130 boys, 116 girls), age range 13-15 years, enrolled in 10 schools participated. Seven days/24 hours, they wore accelerometers monitor their activity, including sleep. Participants’ Body Index obtained completed several questionnaires. results indicated that most participants had an adequate BMI, optimal Mediterranean diet medium socioeconomic status. Sleep efficiency above 92%. One quarter showed signs of disorders. majority (52,1%) chose ideal thinner than perceived one, 32,1% a similar 15% larger one. Most wanted different figure, especially among females, but it did not vary depending status or diet. Perceived discrepancy were positively correlated BMI. Negative relationships observed between discrepancy. predicted both discrepancy, while sex image. Participants greater lower levels self-concept well-being.
 In conclusion, dissatisfaction high prevalence adolescents negative implications well-being self-concept. BMI is factor closely linked dissatisfaction. No connection found SES Finally,