Construct validity of a figure rating scale for Brazilian adolescents

The study was carried out with adolescent students attending three public schools in an urban region of the municipality of Florianopolis in the State of Santa Catarina (SC). The sample comprised 232 10-19-year-old students, 106 of whom are boys and 126 girls, from the 5th "series" (i.e. year) of Primary School to the 3rd year of Secondary School. Data-gathering involved the application of an instrument containing 8 body figure drawings representing a range of children's and adolescents' body shapes, ranging from very slim (contour 1) to obese (contour 8). Weights and heights were also collected, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated later. BMI was analyzed as a continuous variable, using z-scores, and as a dichotomous categorical variable, representing a diagnosis of nutritional status (normal and overweight including obesity).Results showed that both males and females with larger BMI z-scores chose larger body contours. Girls with higher BMI z-scores also show higher values of body image dissatisfaction.We provided the first evidence of validity for a figure rating scale for Brazilian adolescents.Body dissatisfaction is a component of body image related to attitudes and evaluations of one's own body [1,2], and is defined as a negative evaluation of one's own body. It is diagnosed by graphical instruments showing figure drawings of the body and parts of it (such as the belly and hips), and through questionnaires containing questions on body weight and other aspects related to body acceptance [3].Body dissatisfaction is considered as more than an etiologic factor, it is also a risk factor. Moreover, it is also associated with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, above all in women [4-7]. Other outcomes related to body dissatisfaction are attempted suicide [8] and depression [9].During puberty several factors may change the way an individual views his or her own body; changes in body shape during this period play an important role in the is