The study aimed to estimate the association between nutritional status and body self-image dissatisfaction in elderly women attending the Food, Nutrition and Elderly Course at UnATI/UERJ. A cross-sectional study was conducted, with semi-structured interviews with all elderly (≥60 years), obtaining information regarding body image perception (scale of nine Stunkard silhouettes), socioeconomic, health and demographic indicators, and BMI. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and linear regression (significance level=5%). It was found that 50.0% had normal weight; 6.0% were in the category of underweight; and 44.0% were overweight (p=0.425). Regarding the perception of body image, 74.0% (n=37;p=0.0049) were dissatisfied with the body, mainly by excess (89.2%). Of those who expressed dissatisfaction with low weight, most were eutrophic. On the other hand, between the ones dissatisfied by excess, 30.2% are not overweight. Silhouettes 2 and 3 were identified as ideal for half of the respondents, although the self-perception of 62.0% of the elderly had been the silhouettes 4 and 5. The belly and limbs, especially lower body parts are the least liked by the older (78.0%). The silhouettes rating scale of the actual image increases as BMI (p<0.001). The opposite occurs regarding the ideal image (p<0.001). Individuals with high BMI tend to be more dissatisfied with their body image and this may be related to weight excess. This fact deserves deeper understanding of the determinants and meanings of this complex relationship dissatisfaction between body, beauty, health and aging.
Body Image; Nutritional Status; Elderly
