title: [Self-assessment of physical appearance by 13-year-olds as one of predictors of functioning in school and peer environment].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between perception of physical appearance and body weight by adolescents and satisfaction with school and the level of perception of social acceptance in relationships with peers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample study was conducted in adolescents at the age of thirteen years participating in the third stage (2008) of the prospective study. Comparative analysis of the evaluation of significant differences between the groups using chi2 test were performed. The risk of dissatisfaction with the school and feeling low level of social acceptance in relationships with peers was estimated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perceived body weight increased significantly only the risk of dissatisfaction with the school, when it was treated as the single predictor. In the models taking into account two factors (self-assessment of body mass and physical appearance), self-perception of body mass did not increase significantly the risk of dissatisfaction with school or a low sense of social acceptance. The risk of dissatisfaction with school was negatively increased in boys (Exp (B) = 11.371, p < 0.001) or average (Exp (B) = 2.726, p < 0.01) evaluated their body and in girls with negative self-perception of appearance (Exp (B) = 3.267, p < 0.05), compared with those who had good self perception of physical appearance. Greater risk of experiencing lack of acceptance by peers was observed in girls who assess their appearance as average (Exp (B) = 2.194, p < 0.01) and in the group of boys who judged their appearance as bad (Exp (B) = 6.548, p < 0.05) compared with those who were satisfied with their appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive self-perception of their appearance determines satisfaction with the school and the feeling of acceptance in relationships with peers. In the perception of social acceptance from peers, body weight perception is not a significant predictor. It would be justified, especially in junior high schools, to conduct educational programmes in order to assist students to build positive self-esteem.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Ochrony i Promocji Zdrowia Dzieci i Młodziezy, Instytut Matki i Dziecka w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Radiukiewicz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dzielska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D012945:Social Values; D013334:Students