Body Image, Eating Patterns, and Nutritional Status of Adolescent Girls at SMP Negeri 38 Surabaya

Abstract

Adolescent girls are vulnerable to body image concerns and unhealthy eating patterns due to social pressures, which may affect their nutritional status. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between body image, eating patterns, and nutritional status among adolescent girls at SMP Negeri 38 Surabaya. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted involving 67 female students from grades VII–VIII, selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data on body image were collected through a questionnaire, eating patterns were assessed using a Semi Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), and nutritional status was determined by anthropometric measurements based on BMI-for-age. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test at a 95% confidence level. The results showed that 50.7% of respondents had a negative body image, 64.2% had unhealthy eating patterns, and 49.3% experienced nutritional problems (49.3% underweight, 29.9% normal, and 20.9% overweight). Statistical tests indicated significant associations between body image and nutritional status (p=0.028) as well as between eating patterns and nutritional status (p=0.012). In conclusion, body image and eating patterns are significantly related to nutritional status, with negative body perception and poor eating habits increasing the risk of malnutrition. The limitation of this study is that it did not include other influential factors such as physical activity and social media exposure, so the results should be interpreted with caution.