Weight and Body Image Attitudes: Correlation and Gender Differences among A Sample of University Students in Alexandria.

Background: Body image does not merely reflect the heavenly grant of the individual or the
observational remarks of other important people. The perceived constituent of body image
refers mostly to body size assessment. Alteration of body size that goes in the direction of
overestimation was usually seen as a predictor for the development of eating disorders.
Objective: The purpose of the study is to investigate weight and body image attitudes and
perceptions, and the presence of risky weight control practices among a sample of Pharos
university students. Method: A 398 university students (males and females) aged 18-26
years, who were chosen randomly from Pharos University campus during the spring semester
2016-2017, were asked to fill out a self-reported weight and body image inventory, adapted
from The University of Florida Counseling Services, that included their weight, and height.
Results: Mean BMI was 24.84 ± 4.35 and a prevalence of overweight and obesity of 41%
was found among students, 55.5% were of normal weight (50% of males compared to 60% of
females), and 3.5% were underweight. Relations between sex and body image attitude: a total
of 33.9% for both sexes were at risk; (More than 5 false answers) was (19.9%) among male
students and (41.6%) among female students. Female participants revealed a significant
correlation between their self-reported current weight and dissatisfaction about their body
image in relation to males (p = 0.005). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that both
genders are subject to some degree of risky behaviors as they reported a higher degree of
negative responses in relation to weight and body image. By investigating weight and body
image related attitudes; researchers can better determine where their weight management and
eating disorder prevention programming efforts can best be targeted.