Beyond Appearances: A Comparative Analysis on Gender Differences in Body Shaming Among Adolescents

Abstract

Body shaming, the act of negatively evaluating and criticizing an individual’s physical appearance is a prevalent issue among adolescents, with potentially long-lasting effects on their mental and emotional well-being. This study aimed to explore the phenomenon of body shaming among adolescents in Mysore City with potential gender differences in its occurrence. Employing a cross-sectional design data was collected from a total of 155 randomly selected adolescents aged between 10 to 19 years (male: n=99; and female: n=56). The study utilized a series of standardized protocols and calibrated equipment (measuring tapes and scales) to collect anthropometric measurements (Height, Weight, Waist and Hip Circumference) and further indices (BMI and Waist-Hip ratio). The findings of the study indicated that a significant proportion of female participants (33.95%) were at higher risk for abdominal obesity than their male counterparts (65.7%). Even though there was a difference between genders, no significant association was found between gender and BMI (p<0.095). A highly significant association was found between gender and waist-to-hip ratio (p<0.001). A higher percentage of female participants (23.2%) reported high levels of body shaming as compared to males (7.1%).  Further, a highly significant association between gender and body shaming experiences (p<0.001) and a negative correlation between height and body shaming (r= -.175) were found. The study highlights the urgency of addressing body shaming among adolescents and emphasizes the necessity for more extensive research involving larger populations to develop intervention strategies and provide adequate support for these specific groups of adolescents.