Perception of body image of individuals working in the environmental area
Section: Health and quality of life
How to quote
Calero Martín de Villodres P et ál. Percepción de la imagen corporal en trabajadores del área medioambiental. Metas de Enferm nov 2011; 14(9): 21-26
Authors
1Paloma Calero Martín de Villodres, 2César Hueso Montoro, 3Irene Cara Blanes, 4Serafín Balanza Galindo, 5Marta Amalia Merino Torres, 6
Position
1Enfermera especialista en Enfermería de Empresa. Departamento de Vigilancia de la Salud. Grupo Preving. Granada.
Contact address
Paloma Calero Martín de Villodres. Cº de Ronda, 202, bajo. 18003 Granada.
Contact email: martindevillodres@hotmail.com
Abstract
Material and method: descriptive cross-sectional observational study on a sample of 400 workers in the environmental area. A questionnaire was used for the collection of socio-demographic, lifestyle and clinical data. The variable body image perception was measured by the instrument proposed by Stunkard and Stellard, as modified by Collins. A descriptive statistical bivariate analysis was performed using the t Student test.
Results: 66.3% of workers had a better perception of their body silhouette in relation to how it really was, especially those who were overweight and obese. The mean BMI was higher in subjects who perceive their shape to be better than it really was (28.01) in relation to those who perceive it as it really was (23.69) or below (26) (p <0.001).
Conclusions: subjects perceived their body image between parameters considered as healthy, although objective measurements found them to fall within less healthy parameters, which denotes a certain distortion of this perception. These results may be useful when it comes to planning strategies for improving and promoting the health of workers, especially in regard to self-concept and self-perceived health.
Keywords:
body image; body mass index; descriptive research; occupational health; occupational risks; self-perception; work
Versión en Español
Título:
Percepción de la imagen corporal en trabajadores del área medioambiental
