Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102269

Lisa M. Romero, MPH, DrPHc, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 1682 Scenic Ave, #3, Berkeley, CA 94709, 510-644-3459, l_romero@uclink.berkeley.edu

An important part of adolescence is the development of sexuality and the achievement of good sexual health. With the increasing rate of obesity among adolescents, the increasingly skewed perception of being overweight among under and normal weight adolescent females, and increasing pressure from the media, peers, and family, the role of body image may play a significant role in how adolescents feel about their bodies and their self worth. A low body image may lead to vulnerability for many risky behaviors, including sexual risk taking. Body image is a critical component of an adolescent's global self-esteem. Society's values, standards, and attitudes, which are often shaped by perceptions of beauty, intelligence, strength, and wealth, influence how adolescents evaluate themselves. For Hispanic youth, the developmental tasks of identity development, academic achievement, and intimacy may be affected by a different set of social, economic, and cultural conditions. To understand the association between body image and adolescent's sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, a comprehensive survey was developed and administered to 541 female adolescents, ages 14-18, in New Mexico to examine the interplay between body image and unhealthy sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, as well as further characterize the mechanisms through which body image evaluations affect female adolescents' sexual health. Results indicate that there is a significant relationship among body image and sexual risk taking and a significant difference in race. The results have significant implications for the development and implementation of more effective STI/HIV and pregnancy prevention interventions among this population.

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