Body areas satisfaction and body mass in adolescents: mediating effects of actual–ideal body weight discrepancies

PURPOSE: This study aims at investigating prospective associations between body areas satisfaction (BAS), actual (objectively measured)–ideal body weight discrepancy, actual (self-reported)–ideal body weight discrepancy and BMI among adolescents from the general population. METHODS: Data were collected at three measurement points: baseline (T1), 2-month follow-up (T2), 13-month follow-up (T3) among 1011 adolescents (59.3% girls) aged 13–19 years (M = 16.30, SD = 0.82) with BMIs ranging from 15.20 to 38.78 (M = 20.01, SD = 3.33). Adolescents completed questionnaires regarding BAS (T1), actual and ideal body weight (T2). Body weight and height were measured objectively (T1 and T3). RESULTS: Adolescents satisfied with most areas of their bodies had lower levels of actual (objectively measured)–ideal body weight discrepancy, which in turn predicted higher BMI, while lower levels of actual (self-reported)–ideal body weight discrepancy predicted lower BMI. No moderating effect of gender was found. CONCLUSIONS: Actual–ideal weight discrepancies may operate in complex manner prompting opposite effects on BMI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, longitudinal study without control group.