Objective:

To determinate the relationship between positive body image and body dissatisfaction, physical activity, internalization of beauty ideals presented by media and the body mass index in adolescents from the Colombian Caribbean Coast.

Method:

A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 300 students from the city of Barranquilla between 13 and 19 years of age, 151 were female and 149 were male.

Results:

Higher positive body image was associated with more hours of physical activity, lower body mass index, lower body dissatisfaction and lower internalization of beauty ideals. Females showed lower positive body image than males, The association of these variables allowed risk profiles for eating disorders in women. Positive body image was a significant protective factor for body dissatisfaction in both men and women

Conclusion:

This study has allowed us to deepen our knowledge of positive body image in a population that is underrepresented in international research, such as adolescents in Latin America.