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Background: Body image is the mental representation of the body and can be influenced by cognitive, biological, behavioral, sociocultural, and environmental factors. University students often encounter challenges related to it., Objective: This systematic review examined interventions aimed at holistically developing a positive body image within this population., Methods: The PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the PICO method were employed to identify, select, assess, and synthesize studies. The consulted databases included Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, with inclusion criteria targeting body image interventions for university students aged 18 to 39. Study quality was evaluated using the QATSDD tool., Results: Twenty-one relevant studies were identified, primarily from the United States, mostly employing quantitative methods, with a focus on female participants. Various intervention strategies were utilized, including cognitive-behavioral approaches, media literacy, and physical/resistance training, with a growing use of technology like mobile applications. The majority of studies reported effective outcomes, such as reduced body dissatisfaction and increased self-esteem following interventions. Nevertheless, literature gaps were identified, such as the scarcity of formative interventions and limited use of qualitative approaches., Conclusion: While technology in interventions offers promising opportunities, careful assessments and judicious selection of evaluation instruments are fundamental for reliable results. Future research should focus on addressing identified gaps, such as exploring more formative interventions and incorporating qualitative methodologies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of body image interventions among university students., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The benefits of taking up physical activity are well established and social support has been identified as one of the main determinants of this behavior., Objectives: To investigate the association between social support and weekly frequency of physical activity in adults working at a public university in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil., Methods: This is a cross-sectional population study with a convenience sample of 189 contract workers of both sexes, aged from 21 to 72 years (39.00 ± 11.43). The instruments employed were the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Social Support for Physical Activities Scale. Fisher's exact test was used to estimate the distribution of physical activity frequency. Poisson regression was used for association analyses. The significance level was set at 5%., Results: A significant association was detected between social support and weekly physical activity frequency (p < 0.05). Social support for physical activity of moderate or vigorous intensity was associated with both weekly frequency of walking (odds ratio [OR]: 1.32; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.11-1.58) and weekly frequency of vigorous physical activity (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.08-1.67). Additionally, people who reported receiving social support for walking were more likely to have increased weekly frequency of walking (OR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.00-1.49)., Conclusions: Social support for physical activity from relatives and friends is associated with weekly physical activity frequency. Notwithstanding, this association was stronger for weekly frequency of vigorous intensity physical activity., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: None

Background: During pregnancy and the postpartum period, women experience tremendous biopsychosocial changes in a short period of time. Poor body appreciation, depressive symptoms, and low self-esteem during the perinatal period may cause negative consequences for both the mother and the infant's physiological and psychological health. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in body appreciation, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem between the three gestational trimesters and the postpartum period., Methods: Participants ( N = 1,423 pregnant and postpartum Brazilian women), aged between 18 and 42 years old ( M = 29.22; SD = ±5.72), answered questionnaires on body appreciation, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem. BMI was self-reported. Descriptive and nonparametric covariance analysis were performed, comparing women who were in the first, second, and third trimesters and the postpartum period., Results: Body appreciation was significantly higher among women in the third trimester compared to those in the first and second trimester. However, it was lower for women in all three gestational trimesters than for those in the postpartum. There was no difference in self-esteem during pregnancy, but it was significantly lower in the postpartum group. Similarly, depressive symptoms did not vary through pregnant groups but it was significantly higher in the postpartum group., Conclusions: The results showed that the postpartum period can be a difficult experience for women. They presented poor body appreciation and lower self-esteem and higher depressive symptoms compared to the pregnancy period. Therefore, it is necessary for public health policies to support women in this period, preserving their mental health and making this experience more positive., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Meireles, Neves, Amaral, Morgado and Ferreira.)

The scope of the Denver II Developmental Screening Test is to assess the development of children between 0 and 6 years of age. The aim of this study was to verify evidence of intra- and inter-examiner reliability, concurrent validity, sensitivity and specificity of the Brazilian version of Denver II. It involved a cross-sectional methodological study. A total of 254 children, between 0 and 72 months with risk of developmental delay, participated in the study. Two examiners verified the Denver II intra- and inter-examiner reliability. Concurrent validity, sensitivity and specificity were checked against the Brazilian version of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires as a criterion-referenced test. Statistical analysis used the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Spearman's Correlation Test and Contingency Table, the level of significance being α=0.05. The results identified that intra and inter examiner reliability was excellent in all age groups. Concurrent validity showed moderate to very strong rates in the 13-to-60-month age group. The sensitivity and specificity indices ranged from 73-99% and 58-92%, respectively. The Brazilian version of Denver II has good rates of psychometric properties and is a reliable and valid instrument to be applied to Brazilian children at risk of developmental delay.

The theoretical-methodological process of cross-cultural adaptation of scales is fundamental for the expansion of research possibilities related to a given area and population, as instrument adequacy allows for the consistent assessment of the construct being studied. This article aims to highlight the different theoretical-methodological processes of cross-cultural adaptations of scales for assessing body image among young university students. The articles were selected in February 2020, with the following search descriptors: ("body image") and (young or "college students" or graduating or graduat *) and ("cross-cultural validation" or "cross-cultural adaptation"), in three databases-Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, without any time restrictions. Altogether, 304 studies were surveyed on the different bases mentioned above, and 14 studies published between 2010 and 2019 were evaluated. This study highlighted the methodological procedures used in the process of cross-cultural adaptation, as well as the population, the types of validity and reliability, and also the main limitations, strengths, and results reported in each study included in this review. The information presented in this review will allow new researchers to make more appropriate choices about instruments for assessing body image in young university students, in addition to presenting the methodological evolution on this theme.

Knowledge of the psychosocial determinants of physical activity is critical to informing preventive and therapeutic interventions in the workplace. This study reviewed available evidence on psychosocial factors that have been associated with physical activity among workers. Studies were selected in December 2019 from the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, with no date limits, using the following search terms: "physical activity", "physical exercise", "psychosocial", "workers", and "working-age". Thirty-nine studies published between 1991 and 2019 were evaluated. The determinants of physical activity investigated among workers were smoking status, stress, psychosocial working conditions, depression, anxiety, social relationships, work ability, job satisfaction, burnout, and self-efficacy. Some consistencies and controversies were observed in the associations among these determinants and physical activity and are discussed, as are suggestions for future studies. The findings of this review may be of interest to physical activity interventions designed to reduce psychosocial risks factors in work environments.

There are few instruments with good validity and reliability for evaluating body image in children. In this study we aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale for Brazilian children. In Study 1, we developed 53 items on the basis of a literature review, previous body image scales and qualitative study. We developed the item format and response options and developed instructions for both researchers and participants. In Study 2, we used 10 experts and 21 boys and girls aged 7-11 years ( M  = 8.25 years, SD  = 1.70) to evaluate item content and semantics. The scale went through further refinement, leading to the exclusion of some items and the modification of others. In Study 3, we analyzed the instrument's psychometric properties in 571 girls ( M  = 9.17 years of age, SD  = 1.23) and 597 boys ( M  = 9.32 years, SD  = 1.24) from all over Brazil, using exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses with independent samples. The scale's final version for females was composed of 17 items divided into five factors; and the final male version included 13 items and two factors. Both versions presented satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity, and these scales can now be used reliably with 7-11 year old Brazilian children.

Self-acceptance, that is, a person's acceptance of their own psychological and physical attributes, is considered critical for mental wellbeing. A lack of self-acceptance may contribute to the development of psychopathology. In the peripartum period, self-acceptance has particular relevance, as major psychological and body changes are normative during this time. This research presents the development and validation of the Self-Acceptance Scale for Pregnant Women (SAS-PW) and the Self-Acceptance Scale for Postpartum Women (SAS-PPW). Participants were aged 18-52. In Study 1, we developed 77 items for the SAS-PW and 74 items the SAS-PPW, based on literature review, previous scales, and qualitative study. In Study 2, nine experts and 60 representatives of the target population evaluated the instruments' content validity, leading some items to be excluded and others to be modified. Studies 3 and 4 analyzed the instruments' psychometric qualities among respondents to the instruments, 1254 pregnant women and 607 postpartum women from across Brazil. We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with independent samples. The final SAS-PW (10 items and two-factors) and SAS-PPW (14 items and three-factors) demonstrated adequate psychometric quality for use with Brazilian pregnant and postpartum women, respectively.

Objective: Describe the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the "Explanatory Model Interview Catalog - Stigma Scale" for people affected by leprosy in Brazil., Methods: After being authorized by the author of the scale to use it in the national context, we initiated the five steps process of cross-cultural adaptation: (1) translation, (2) synthesis meeting, (3) back-translation, (4) committee of experts and (5) pre-test. The internal consistency of the scale was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient., Results: The 15 items of the scale's original version were translated into Brazilian Portuguese. The adapted scale showed evidence of a good understanding of its content, attested both by experts and members of the target population. Its internal consistency was 0.64., Conclusions: The adapted instrument shows satisfactory internal consistency. It may be useful in future studies that intend to provide broad situational analysis that supports solid public health programs with a focus on effective stigma reduction. In a later study, the construct's validity, criterion, and reproducibility will be evaluated., Objetivo: Descrever o processo de adaptação transcultural da "Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue - Stigma Scale" para pessoas afetadas por hanseníase no Brasil., Métodos: Após a autorização do autor da escala para seu uso no contexto nacional, deu-se início aos cinco passos do processo de adaptação transcultural: (1) tradução, (2) reunião de síntese, (3) retrotradução, (4) comitê de peritos e (5) pré-teste. A consistência interna da escala foi avaliada utilizando o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach., Resultados: Os 15 itens da versão original da escala foram traduzidos para a língua portuguesa do Brasil. A escala adaptada apresentou evidência de boa compreensão de seu conteúdo, atestada tanto por peritos como por membros da população alvo. Sua consistência interna foi de 0,64., Conclusões: O instrumento adaptado apresenta consistência interna satisfatória. Pode ser útil em estudos futuros que intencionem viabilizar ampla análise situacional que sustente programas sólidos de saúde pública com enfoque na efetiva redução de estigma. Em estudo ulterior será avaliada a validade de constructo, critério e reprodutibilidade.

Objective: To analyse the scientific literature regarding the evaluation of body image in children through an integrative literature review., Data Source: An intersection of the keywords "body image" AND "child" was conducted in Scopus, Medline and Virtual Health Library (BVS - Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde) databases. The electronic search was based on studies published from January 2013 to January 2016, in order to verify the most current investigations on the subject. Exclusion criteria were: articles in duplicate; no available summaries; not empirical; not assessing any component of body image; the sample did not consider the target age of this research (0 to 12 years old) and/or considered clinical populations; besides articles not fully available., Data Synthesis: 7,681 references were identified, and, after the exclusion criteria were implemented, 33 studies were analysed. Results showed that the perceptual and attitudinal dimensions focusing on body dissatisfaction were explored, mainly evaluated by silhouette scales. Intervention programs were developed internationally to prevent negative body image in children., Conclusions: The studies included in this review evaluated specific aspects of body image in children, especially body perception and body dissatisfaction. The creation of specific tools for children to evaluate body image is recommended to promote the psychosocial well being of individuals throughout human development.

Zika virus presents risk of physical harm to pregnant women, but the fear of infection is also affecting women around the world. There is a gap in the research on Zika virus in the areas involving the impact on the psychosocial well-being of pregnant women. Therefore, this study is aimed at the investigation of the psychosocial adjustment of pregnant women to the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy. We investigated 14 pregnant women who were classified in three different groups: six in the first trimester, five in the second trimester and three in the third trimester, aged from 28 to 40 years (33.43 ± 3.76 years). Content analysis was used to interpret data. Our results show that the psychosocial adjustment of participants was significantly negative and included five aspects: (1) negative feelings, (2) changes in family planning, (3) adopting new customs (avoiding places of risk, use of specific clothes and use of repellent), (4) changed attitudes regarding body image and (5) feeling of external demand regarding prevention. The fear of Zika virus infection and all its associated risks have a negative biopsychosocial impact on the pregnant women in this study.

This study reports on the development, reliability, and validity of a new instrument for obtaining respondents' body image perception, the Brazilian Photographic Figure Rating Scale (BPFRS). This instrument consists of eight photographic images (seven distorted and one accurate) of respondents themselves in standardized poses, taken just prior to requesting respondents to make self-ratings on the instrument. Participants involved in developing and evaluating this instrument were 142 Brazilian women (age 21.8 ± 3.0 years). Ten experts assessed content validity and showed high agreement (defined by ratings of 4-5 on a 5-point scale) with items measuring underlying constructs and high (>70%) interrater agreement. A Pearson correlation demonstrated convergence between the BPFRS and other related scales; a positive correlation was also evident between actual and respondent-perceived body mass index. Both test-retest and Kappa confirmed temporal stability. These findings indicate that the BPFRS can accurately and reliably assess body image dissatisfaction and body perception in young women by deploying realistic, personalized images as stimuli for self-ratings. Implications for further research and treatment of body image problems are discussed.