Body Esteem, Body Figure Discrepancy and Depression in Women College Students

여대생의 신체존중감, 신체상 불일치 및 우울

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify body esteem, body figure discrepancy and depression in women college students. Method: The data were collected during April and May, 2004 using a questionnaire. The participants were 364 women college students attending universities in Seoul and Gangwon-Do. Results: The BMI for under weight, normal weight and overweight for the college women were 49.2%, 48.3%, 2.5% respectively. But 52.6% of the students perceived themselves as obese and only 11.5% described themselves as being 'thin'. The mean scores for BMI, body esteem, body figure discrepancy and depression were $20.11{\pm}2.20$, $2.36{\pm}.79$, $1.07{\pm}.58$ and $1.20{\pm}.48$ respectively. Significant difference was found in body esteem score (F=26.389 p<.0001) and body figure discrepancy (F=64.167, p<.0001) according to BMI scores. There were negative correlations between body esteem and body figure discrepancy (r=-.582, p=.0001), between body esteem and depression (r=-.120, p=.028), between body esteem and BMI (r=-.422, p=.0001), and a positive correlation between body figure discrepancy and BMI (r=.630, p=.0001). Factors such as body figure discrepancy, BMI and depression explained 36.7% of the valiance in students' body esteem. Conclusion: This study suggests that an intervention program is necessary for women college students to increase their body esteem.