Central Obesity as a Major Determinant of Body Image Concerns: A Comparative Study Between Egyptian and Lebanese University Females

<b>Background:</b> Body image is a multidimensional construct influenced by a myriad of psychosocial and lifestyle factors. The present study has been conducted to explore the prevalence of body image concerns and its associated determinants among female Egyptian and Lebanese university students. <b>Methods:</b> Through a cross-sectional comparative study, a sample of 634 females was recruited from two Egyptian and Lebanese universities. Data were collected using an interview questionnaire to assess the various sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, dietary factors, and perceived weight status. The existence of body image concern was evaluated using the validated short form of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-16). <b>Results:</b> The present data unveiled a relatively alarming prevalence of body image concerns, 46.7.8% and 48%, among the Egyptian and Lebanese university females, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the 2 studied groups with regard to the degree of body image concern (<i>p</i>=0 - 009). The results of regression analysis declared that enlarged waist circumference was the strongest significant determinant of body image concerns (<i>t</i>-test <i>p</i> value = 0.000 and 0.001 among Egyptian and Lebanese university females, respectively). Adopting dieting practices (<i>t</i>-test <i>p</i> value = 0.000 and 0.001) and parental obesity (<i>t</i>-test <i>p</i> value = 0.02 & 0.002) were significantly associated with higher body image concerns' scores among Egyptian and Lebanese university females, respectively. Distinctively, perceived body image (<i>t</i>-test <i>p</i> value = 0.000), meal pattern (<i>t</i>-test <i>p</i> value = 0.004), and employment status (<i>t</i>-test <i>p</i> value = 0.002), were significantly associated with higher body image concerns in the Egyptian group only. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study findings call for tailored, culture-specific intervention programs that enable students to improve their self-acceptance and lead a healthy life.