Body image in adolescents

Body image is most often defined as an individual's subjective perception of their physical appearance, i.e., the mental image that an individual has of their own body dimensions, contours, figure, and feelings associated with these characteristics. Adolescence is a critical period in the development of body image, and numerous factors have an influence on its development and characteristics - gender, age, family, peers, body mass index, socio-cultural norms, media, and physical activity. Biological factors, primarily age at which changes related to puberty occur, are considered crucial for the development of body image. Body image in early adolescence is primarily influenced by parents, and peer influence increases with age. Adolescent girls want to be thinner, while boys want to have an athletic appearance. Body mass index is one of the most important factors influencing body image and satisfaction with weight and physical appearance, and different studies have shown association between obesity and negative body image. During the last decades, the influence of the internet, social media, and computer games on body image has been significantly higher than traditional media such as television, newspapers, and magazines. A number of different questionnaires and scales are used to assess different aspects of body image. One of the most comprehensive studies that addresses different aspects of adolescent health and includes body image assessment is the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study, HBSC. Given that body image (dis)satisfaction can change drastically during adolescence, it can also have a significant impact on mental health (ranging from depression to anxiety), as well as other health-related behaviours. Therefore, it is important to identify adolescents at risk who will adopt different eating behaviors to regulate their body weight, especially those who underestimate and overestimate their body weight, as well as those who are obese.