Body dissatisfaction: Is age a factor?
Body dissatisfaction can be defined as a perceptive component of body image, as a difference between ideal body and a current body size. Body dissatisfaction is present not only in women who have eating disorders but in non-clinical population as well and to such extent that many American psychologists consider it a normative aspect of women's identity. The goal of this study was to investigate the presence of body dissatisfaction in non-clinical population of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to determine the differences in the level of body dissatisfaction between younger and mature women. It was predicted that body dissatisfaction would be present in women regardless of their age and that young women would demonstrate higher levels of body dissatisfaction than older women. 215 women were divided into young (≥25) and mature (≤40) groups and completed Stunkard's body figure rating scale and a demographic questionnaire. Results were consistent with the hypothesis. Women showed body dissatisfaction while age showed to be a significant factor. Socio-cultural perspective on body dissatisfaction was used in discussing the results.