Body image in adult women: Associations with health behaviors, quality of life, and functional impairment

Abstract

This study examined body image in adult women along with probable correlates including health behaviors, negative affect, quality of life, and functional impairment. Adult women ( N = 738, age = 25–86 years) completed an online survey assessing these domains. Women across all ages reported similar body image concerns. Negative body image significantly correlated with poorer wellness behaviors, negative affect, quality of life, and functional impairment. The inverse held for positive body image. The majority of correlations remained even when controlling for negative affect. Further research is warranted to investigate nature of the correlational relationships identified in this study.