1 Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil; 2 Departamento de Ciências Psicológicas e Unidade de Investigação em Psicologia e Saúde. ISPAIU, Lisboa, Portugal.
The body image is multidimensional construct strongly influenced by social and cultural factors. The aim of this study was evaluate the contribution of sociodemographic and labor variables and of the body mass index in the concern with body image. To estimate the concern with body image was used the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Weight Concerns Scale (WCS). Confirmatory factor analysis of scales was carried used as goodness-of-fit indices the chi-square by degrees of freedom ratio (c2/df), the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), the Normed Fit Index (NFI) and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). Convergent validity was estimated by Average Variance Extracted and Composite Reliability and the internal consistency by standardized Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α). A structural model was made and the concern with body image was the central construct of second order. The model fitted was evaluated based on the goodness-of-fit indices. The z test was used to estimate the significance of the trajectories (β) using a 5% significance level. A total 595 female university students participated of study with mean age of 20.42±2.44 years. The full model, with the inclusion of all independent variables, showed unsatisfactory fit and was refined. The final model showed satisfactory fit (c2/df=5.75; CFI=.87; NFI=.85; RMSEA=.09) with inclusion of medication use due to studies (β=.08; p=.04), academic achievement (β=.09; p=.02), economic class (β=.08; p=.03) and body mass index (β=.44; p<.001). This model explained 22% of concern with body image. The medication use due to studies, the academic achievement, the economic class and the body mass index contribute significantly in the concern with body image.