Nearly half of underweight and obese young adults experience moderate to severe body image concerns, including self-consciousness and lack of confidence, according to a study conducted by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
The study, which surveyed 1,000 young adults, found that 47.1 per cent of underweight participants and 49.6 per cent of those classified as obese reported moderate to severe body image issues. In comparison, a majority of normal-weight (35.8 per cent) and overweight (35.5 per cent) participants reported only mild levels of concern.
Published in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion, the research revealed that more than a third of participants (37.5 per cent) felt judged by others because of their body weight, while nearly a quarter (24.5 per cent) reported frequent anxiety related to their weight.
The findings showed that the nature of psychological impact varied across weight categories. Feelings of self-consciousness were significantly associated with obesity, while lack of confidence was most pronounced among underweight individuals. Confidence-related issues were also observed among obese participants, though to a lesser extent.
Researchers noted that body weight is a well-established factor influencing psychological well-being among young adults. However, the study provides a more detailed understanding by identifying specific dimensions of body image concern affecting different weight groups.
Highlighting the broader implications, the researchers stressed the need for comprehensive health policies that address body image concerns across the entire weight spectrum. They recommended that educational institutions and healthcare systems integrate body image literacy, mental health awareness and resilience-building programmes.
Such measures, the study noted, could help policymakers foster a more inclusive and stigma-free healthcare environment that supports both the physical and psychological well-being of young adults.
