Weighing the Mind: Body Image Satisfaction, Weight Perceptions and Weight Control in Young Female Adults

Background Body image satisfaction, weight perception and weight control practices are interrelated dimensions of young women’s physical and psychological health. University students are exposed to changing peer, academic, social media and lifestyle environments that may intensify body-related concerns, yet evidence from Rwanda remains limited. The study aimed to assess body image satisfaction, weight-related perceptions, and weight-control practices among female adults at the University of Rwanda, Remera Campus. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 female undergraduate students. Participants were selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, height and weight measurements, and the nine-figure Stunkard Figure Rating Scale. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and body weight satisfaction was derived from the difference between perceived current and ideal silhouettes. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 30. Descriptive statistics summarised participant characteristics, perceptions, and practices; Pearson χ2 tests assessed associations between categorical variables at the 5% significance level. Results The mean age was 22.85 years (SD: 1.56), and the mean BMI was 22.58 kg/m² (SD: 3.38). Most participants had a normal BMI (70.83%). Slightly more than half (51.67%) were satisfied with their body weight. Body weight satisfaction was significantly associated with actual BMI (χ2 = 64.98, df = 6, p < 0.001), self-perceived weight status (χ2 = 95.09, df = 4, p < 0.001), school (χ2 = 27.52, df = 10, p = 0.002) and year of study (χ2 = 20.77, df = 8, p = 0.008). Most students recognised healthy eating (97.1%) and exercise during weight loss (90.8%) as important, yet 61.3% reported difficulty maintaining their desired weight, and 50.5% reported difficulty maintaining a positive body attitude. Half had not attempted any weight modification in the preceding 60 days; among those who had, exercise (24.6%) and dieting (21.3%) were the most common weight-loss methods. Conclusions Body weight dissatisfaction was common and bidirectional among female undergraduate students. Although harmful weight-control practices were uncommon, gaps between weight-management knowledge, self-regulation, and actual physical activity indicate the need for culturally sensitive student wellness interventions that integrate body image literacy, media literacy, physical activity promotion, and psychosocial support.