Body Image Perception and Its Relationship with Adolescents Nutritional Status in Pekanbaru City during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Offline learning during the Covid-19 pandemic can change adolescents’ lifestyles, including dietary patterns that have
an effect on increasing body weight so that it can have an impact on negative body image perceptions. This study aimed
to determine the relationship between body image perception and adolescents nutritional status in Pekanbaru City
during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research design was a cross sectional study. The research sample was adolescents in
Pekanbaru City with an age range of 12-25 years old, totaling 194 people. The data was obtained from the results of filling
out the questionnaire independently which was distributed to sample via Google Form. Data analysis used the spearman
correlation test with p value<0,05. Total samples who were satisfied with their bodies were 33,0% and dissatisfied were
67,0%. The nutritional status of sample were 4,6% very thin, 13,4% thin, 68,0% normal, 9,8% overweight, and 4,2% obesity.
The results showed that there was a significant relationship between body image perception and adolescents nutritional
status in Pekanbaru City during the Covid-19 pandemic (p=0,000; r=0,609). The problem of dissatisfaction with body
image can make a adolescent have negative thoughts and have an impact on abnormal nutritional status. The need for a
psychological approach to adolescents in increasing their confidence in their own body image.