BODY IMAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION Katarzyna Borzucka-Sitkiewicz, Ph.D. Chair of Social Pedagogy, Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, University of Silesia, Grażyńskiego 53, Katowice, Poland

Defining the body image BODY IMAGE An idea that a person has on his/her body, formed under the influence of interpersonal, environmental and temporal factors. Emotional component Behavioural component Cognitive component

The impact of socio-cultural factors on the structure of body image SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS Feedback from the closest environment Information from the media Internalisation of slim figure ideal COGNITIVE DIMENSION EMOTIONAL DIMENSION BEHAVIOURAL DEMENSION Discrepancy: real me/ Ideal me Fear Body dissatisfaction Diet Physical activity Purging Inducing vomiting age BMI Brytek-Matera, Rybicka-Klimczyk 2009, s.123

Consequences of body image distortions: Behavioural disorders: Eating disorders, Behavioural addictions, Aggression and self- aggression (self-harm), Substance addiction, Risky behaviours.

Body image in the HBSC research (C. Currie i in., 2012) The results indicate that concentration on body appearance increases with age - this was particularly evident among girls; the difference between the 11 and 15-year olds declaring that they are too fat amounted to over 10% (27% in the 11-year-old and 40% in 15-year-old), Sex differences were also indicated (18%among 15-year-olds), to the detriment of girls far worse valuating their appearance, The results in Poland, both in the group of girls and boys, were among the 10 highest for all countries participating in the survey.

Behaviors aimed at weight reduction in the HBSC research (C. Currie i in., 2012) Research have shown that among girls the frequency of making various types of behaviors aimed at weight reduction increases with age (from 14% in the population of 11-year-old to 22% in a population of 15-year-old), The opposite pattern was observed among boys (respectively 12% and 9%), although in this group more cases of obesity were recorded.

Body image among adolescents in Poland (M. Kowalczuk, 2007) I’m too fat I’m too short My thighs are too fat Ugly Too wide Too small breast Too short Too fat

Body image among adolescents in Poland (A. Brytek-Matera, 2008) Real meIdeal meReal meIdeal me

Undertaken seminar research: 160 girls aged 13 and 16, attending lower secondary school and higher secondary school in the region of Upper Silesia (Poland) Sample To determine how respondents assess their appearance, what methods of weight reduction they apply and what preventive/educational actions are undertaken in their environment. Aim A specially designed questionnaire including 30 items + the Figure Rating Scale (FRS). Tools

Figure Rating Scale (A.J. Stunkard et al.,1983) Number of figure BMI15-18,919-24,925-29, Interpretation of BMI underweightnormal weightoverweightobesity

BMI (Body Mass Index) BMI among respondents: 82,5% - normal weight, 9,3% - underweight, 7,5% - overweight.

Main findings: 62.5% of respondents declare a lack of satisfaction with their figures % of them think that they must lose weight, and 21.8% present the opinion that they need a lot of physical activity to achieve the look they desire. Among the effective methods of weight reduction the questioned girls indicated: fasting (14.3%), the use of weight loss medicines (48.7%), use of laxatives and diuretics (5%) and the return of food through vomiting (3.7%). The respondents also acknowledged that in order to avoid putting on weight, they undertake such behaviours as: not eating breakfast (76.8%), drinking water between meals (57.5%), counting calories (55%), using their own diet (53, 7%), smoking while feeling hungry (28.1%) and drinking alcohol (16.8%). Only 36.8% of respondents report that the classes on body image disorders prevention were carried out in their school, the rest of them doesn’t know (21.8%) or declares that such activities were not undertaken. Conclusion: educational/preventive activities concerning a positive body image are insufficient.

Prevention of body image distortions – systemic model Preventive actions INDIVIDUAL DIMENSION INSTITUTIONAL DIMENSION The inter-institutional level The institutional level The level of relationship educator - pupil The personal level of educator Actions undertaken by parents and their messages concerning the body A. Brytek-Matera (2008); J. Wycisk, B. Ziółkowska (2010) Complementary tasks for schools Main tasks for schools

Types and levels of prevention concerning body image Level of prevention Characteristic 1st degree prevention The actions directed to people who do not yet present non-adaptive behaviours - preventing the occurrence of harmful and unhealthy behaviours by diagnosing the risk factors and neutralizing them as well as promoting positive body image. 2nd degree prevention The actions addressed to people who present a single non-adaptive behaviour, i.e. a restrictive diet - stopping the development of a disorder at the onset of the first symptoms. 3rd degree prevention Preventing the escalation or recurrence of non-adaptive behaviours and mitigating their negative effects, i.e. stigmatization, the consequences of hospitalization, etc.