Abstract
Background: Body image dissatisfaction has been rising in recent years. Despite the large body of evidence on body image, few studies have directed gender comparisons of body image in Iran. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate body image dissatisfaction and its correlation with anthropometric indicators and body composition in men and women. Methods: Following a cross-sectional design, 95 females and 95 males (age range: 18 - 50 years and body mass index: 18.5 - 40.0 kg/m2) who attended a nutrition clinic in Ardabil city were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Anthropometric measurements were achieved while participants were lightly clothed with no shoes. The body fat percentage, visceral fat level, and visceral fat area were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The body image was evaluated using the Multidimensional Body Self-Relation Questionnaire (MBSRQ). Data analysis was administered using SPSS, and a two-tailed P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The appearance orientation (females: 4.04 ± 0.57 vs. males: 3.72 ± 0.49, P-value < 0.001) and illness orientation (females: 3.70 ± 0.74 vs. males: 3.41 ± 0.83, P-value = 0. 01) subscales scores were higher in women than men. A negative association was observed between appearance orientation subscale score with anthropometric indicators and body composition. In contrast, the subjective weight, overweight preoccupation, and health evaluation subscales scores were positively correlated with anthropometric measurement and body composition. Conclusions: This study investigated body image dissatisfaction in a small sample of Iranians. Gender was an important factor in determining body image subscales. Thus, health interventions should be specially designed.