Body and Self-Worth: Association Between Body Dissatisfaction and Self-Esteem in Medical Students

Introduction: Body dissatisfaction is a relevant psychological factor in university students’ mental health, particularly in demanding fields such as Medicine. Its association with self-esteem has been widely documented, although evidence from Latin American contexts remains limited. Objective: To analyze the association between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem among medical students, and to explore differences according to sociodemographic and academic variables. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students. Self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and body dissatisfaction using the Body Shape Questionnaire–8C (BSQ-8C). Descriptive analyses, bivariate comparisons (Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests), and adjusted linear regression were performed. Results: A significant negative association was found between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem. Body dissatisfaction was higher in women, while self-esteem showed borderline differences by sex. No significant differences in self-esteem were observed across academic years, although body dissatisfaction varied by year. In the multivariate model, body dissatisfaction and history of mental disorders were significantly associated with lower self-esteem, whereas BMI and sex were not significant predictors. Conclusion: Body dissatisfaction emerges as a central factor influencing self-esteem in medical students, with relevant clinical implications. These findings highlight the need for preventive strategies and early interventions targeting mental health in this population.