Body Image Among University Students

Quality of Life Clinical Trial

Official title:

Body Appearance Pressure and Body Image Among University Students

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04256967
• Other study ID #: CSB
• Status: Completed
• Start date: February 1, 2020
• Est. completion date: December 1, 2023

Study information

• Verified date: April 2022
• Source: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

A negative body image negatively affects the total health of students and the quality of life in University students. Body image and the experience of body appearance pressure have not been investigated previously among the Norwegian student population. It is reasonable to suggest that sport science students experience an increased pressure to have an athletic body to be able to identify as a sport science student and for future job opportunities. Such pressure would negatively influence students' attitudes and practice as future communicators of lifestyle knowledge after completing their studies. Objective: The study objective is to assess body image and body appearance pressure among Norwegian University students, and to investigate differences between different academic disciplines and gender. The study uses a cross-sectional design with a questionnaire to measure outcomes in male and female students in Norway.

Description:

Background: A negative body image negatively affects the total health of students and the quality of life in University students. Body image and the experience of body appearance pressure have not been investigated previously among the Norwegian student population. It is well known that students studying sport science are exposed to an enhanced focus on lifestyle and the body beyond what focus that already exist in the society. It is reasonable to suggest that sport science students experience an increased pressure to have an athletic body to be able to identify as a sport science student and for future job opportunities. Such pressure would negatively influence students' attitudes and practice as future communicators of lifestyle knowledge after completing their studies. Objective: The study objective is to assess body image and body appearance pressure among Norwegian University students, and to investigate differences between different academic disciplines and gender. Methods: The study uses a cross-sectional design with a web-based questionnaire to measure outcomes in 1764 male and female students in Norway. In addition to descriptive data on the sample, a Pearson's correlation, independent t-test og chi-square will be used to investigate associations and differences between groups. Statistical significance is defined at a p-value of <.05. Implications: Results from the study provides a description of the sample and will provide a foundation for targeted actions, interventions for optimization in terms of study environment to reduce negative body image and potential reported pressure to have a specific body, and promotion of positive body image and prevention of negative body experiences. This could contribute to a healthier student environment and enhances the chance to develop students who adapts and take knowledge with them into their future work life, and apply this knowledge in a safe and health promotive way.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 993
• Est. completion date: December 1, 2023
• Est. primary completion date: December 1, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Students at Norwegian University Colleges or Universities
• Students who are able to read and write in Norwegian
• Fulltime students

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students who are not able to read or write in Norwegian
• Part-time students

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Body Image
• Body Image Disturbance
• Dietary Habits
• Physical Activity
• Quality of Life

Intervention

Other:
• Body and health focused study environment
Students are exposed to lectures, literature, co-students, contexts that provide body and lifestyle awareness beyond the existing exposure of the society in general

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Norway	Norwegian school of sport sciences	Oslo

Sponsors (4)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences	Ostfold University College, University College of Southeast Norway, University of Agder

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Norway, 

References & Publications (2)

Sundgot-Borgen C, Mathisen TF, Torstveit MK, Sundgot-Borgen J. Explanations for use of dietary- and muscle enhancing dietary supplements among university students: a national cross-sectional study. BMC Nutr. 2022 Feb 24;8(1):17. doi: 10.1186/s40795-022-00 — View Citation

Sundgot-Borgen C, Sundgot-Borgen J, Bratland-Sanda S, Kolle E, Torstveit MK, Svantorp-Tveiten KME, Mathisen TF. Body appreciation and body appearance pressure in Norwegian university students comparing exercise science students and other students. BMC Pub — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Other	Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R)	Comparison of physical appearance. Scores ranges from 0-44, where higher score indicates higher level of comparison.	March 2020-July 2020
Other	Social attitudes towards appearance questionnaire (SATAQ-4 R) men	Body ideal internalization. Scores ranged from 8-40, with higher score indicating higher level of internalization	March 2020-July 2020
Other	Social attitudes towards appearance questionnaire (SATAQ-4 R) women	Body ideal internalization. Scores ranged from 15-75, with higher score indicating higher level of internalization	March 2020-July 2020
Other	Rosenberg self-esteem scale	Self-esteem. Scale ranges from 10-40, with higher scores indicating higher level of self-esteem; Self-esteem. The scale ranges from 10-40, with higher score indicates higher level of self-esteem	March 2020-July 2020
Other	Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)	Satisfaction with life. Scores ranges from 10-70, with higher score indicating higher satisfaction with life	March 2020-July 2020
Other	Physical activity level	Questions about hours of physical activity during one regular week. Continuous scale.	March 2020-July 2020
Other	Dietary supplementation consumption	Questions about the use of dietary supplementation, both legal and illegal. Responds is given by choosing specific supplementations	March 2020-July 2020
Primary	Self-developed	Body appearance pressure. Respond on a Likert-scale where higher scores indicate higher level of experienced pressure	March 2020-July 2020
Primary	Body Appreciation Scale-2	Positive body image. Score ranges from 10-50, with higher score indicating higher body appreciation.	March 2020-July 2020
Primary	Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q)	Body dissatisfaction in girls. Scores ranges from 12-60, with higher scores indicating higher levels of dissatisfaction	March 2020-July 2020
Primary	Male body dissatisfaction scale (MBDS)	Body dissatisfaction in males. Scores ranges from 0-42, with higher scores indicating higher levels of dissatisfaction	March 2020-July 2020