Abstract:
Background Adolescence is a critical period of change where body image perception
significantly influences weight status. Promoting a healthy body image is essential for addressing
these issues. This study aims to fill the research gap on body image and weight dissatisfaction in
high school students in Addis Ababa, providing insights for future interventions and policies.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess Perceived body image, dissatisfaction with
body weight,and associated factor among high school adolescentsAddis Ababa. Ethiopia, from
March to May, 2021.
Methods: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data
was collected using a questionnaire among randomly selected 617 students. Descriptive statistics
were used for describing ratios, frequency. Binary and ordinary logistic regression analysis were
used to assess association between independent variables with dissatisfaction and perceived body
image respectively. Odd ratio 95%CI was estimated to measure the strength of association level
of statistical significance was declared at p value less than 0.05.
Results: A total of 617 Adolescents were interviewed with a response rate of 97.4%. About
302(48.95%) were females with a mean age of 17.2 (SD±1.16) years. The overall perception of
underweight, normal, and overweight was 92(14.9%;95%CI:12.3-17.8), 415(67.3%;95%CI:63.7-
71.0), and 110 (17.8%;95%CI:15.1-21.1), respectively. And about 130(21.1%;95:CI 17.8-
24.3)dissatisfaction with body weight. Poor perception of body image was associated with
female gender (AOR=1.45;95%CI:1.01,2.06),deep fries intake (AOR=2.94,95%CI:1.44,6.03)
and sedentary behavior (AOR=1.52,95%CI: 1.06,2.18).In addition, body weight dissatisfaction
was associated with female gender(AOR 1.69 95% CI:1.12.2.53),inadequate dietary diversity
score (AOR2.67 95%CI:1.50,4.76),perceived overweight (AOR 4.51 95% CI:1.94,10.5) and
perceived underweight (AOR 3.41 95%CI; 1.70,8.82).
Conclusion: The study found that poor body image perception and body weight dissatisfaction
wasprevalent among adolescents in Addis Ababa. Contributing factors include being female,
consuming deep-fried foods, inadequate dietary diversity score, and sedentary behavior.
Therefore, it is crucial to develop preventive interventions.
