Rosman, Nur Fadhlin Najwa and Rusali, Roszanadia and Hamirudin, Aliza Haslinda and Abu Bakar, Ibrahim (2025) Investigating the association between body mass index (BMI) and body image perceptions among high school students. International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 9 (Suppl. 3). pp. 457-464. E-ISSN 2600-8491
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Abstract
Background: Adolescence is a critical period for physical growth and psychological development, during which body mass index (BMI) and body image perceptions play an important role in health and well-being. Concerns about overweight, obesity, and body dissatisfaction are increasingly common among Malaysian adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between BMI status and body image perceptions among high school students in Kuantan, Pahang. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 students aged 13 to 15 years in Kuantan, Pahang. Participants were selected using convenience sampling, and only those with parental consent and valid responses were included. Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate BMI, while body image perceptions were assessed using a validated questionnaire, Body Self-Image Questionnaire Short-Form (BSIQ-SF), across four domains: Negative Affect, Attractiveness Evaluation, Physical Functionality Awareness, and Height Dissatisfaction. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlation. Results: The majority of students (75.0%) had a normal BMI, while 10.0% were overweight, 7.1% were obese, 4.3% were thin, and 3.6% were severely thin. Female students reported significantly greater dissatisfaction in the Height Dissatisfaction domain (p = 0.031). No significant gender differences were found in the Negative Affect, Attractiveness Evaluation, and Physical Functionality Awareness domains. BMI was significantly correlated with Negative Affect (r = 0.338, p < 0.001) and Physical Functionality Awareness (r = 0.218, p = 0.010), suggesting that students with higher BMI were more likely to experience body dissatisfaction and greater awareness of physical functionality. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that BMI and gender significantly influence body image perceptions among adolescents, reflecting both overweight/obesity and underweight concerns. Despite the growing importance of adolescent body image in public health, there remains a need for further research on sociocultural and environmental factors shaping these perceptions.
| Item Type: | Article (Journal) |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | 8249/127103 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | body mass index (BMI); body image perception; adolescents; Malaysia |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM214 Diet therapy. Diet and dietectics in disease |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Nutrition Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Roszanadia Rusali |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Jan 2026 10:23 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Jan 2026 15:19 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-01-Q1862 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/127103 |
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