BMJ Open. 2025 Oct 6;15(10):e099390. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099390.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Body image dissatisfaction (BID) is relatively common in Chinese female undergraduates. This study aims to explore the reasons for BID among female undergraduates to develop effective early intervention strategies.
DESIGN: A qualitative research approach was used through semi-structured interviews, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the experiences of participants.
SETTING: The study was conducted from April 2024 to November 2024 at Yibin University in Sichuan province, China.
PARTICIPANTS: The study involved 25 female undergraduates with an average age of 19.8±1.3 years. These participants were selected to provide rich qualitative data about their experiences and views regarding BID.
RESULTS: The participants showed a high level of BID, and the thematic analysis revealed five overarching themes regarding the causes of BID among female undergraduates: (1) individual factors; (2) media factors; (3) family factors; (4) peer factors; and (5) overall societal impact.
CONCLUSION: The thematic analysis revealed that dissatisfaction with body image among female undergraduates is a multidimensional issue influenced by various factors, including individual and sociocultural elements. The conclusion emphasises the necessity of strengthening comprehensive intervention measures to address these influencing factors.
PMID:41057183 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099390
