Investigation of Body Image Dissatisfaction and Its Relationship to Self-Esteem Among Female Undergraduates in Lagos State

Body image dissatisfaction is an increasingly prevalent concern among Nigerian young women, influenced by media representations and social comparison, with significant implications for self-esteem and mental wellbeing. This study investigated body image dissatisfaction and its relationship to self-esteem among female undergraduates at Lagos State University, South West Nigeria. A correlational survey was conducted among 260 female students from four faculties using stratified random sampling. The Body Shape Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were employed. Results showed that 48.5 percent of respondents reported moderate to high body dissatisfaction, with the strongest dissatisfaction expressed about abdominal shape (63.5 percent) and overall body weight (57.7 percent). Body dissatisfaction was significantly negatively correlated with self-esteem (r = -0.56, p < 0.001). Frequency of social media use, particularly Instagram and TikTok, was significantly associated with higher body dissatisfaction (beta = 0.37, p < 0.001). Students in health and social sciences showed higher body awareness and lower dissatisfaction scores. Exposure to body-positive campus messaging was associated with marginally better self-esteem scores. Only 14.2 percent had discussed body image concerns with a counsellor. The study recommends counsellor-facilitated body image workshops, social media literacy education targeting self-comparison behaviours, and peer body-positive advocacy campaigns as counselling and educational interventions for female students in Lagos State universities. Keywords: body image dissatisfaction, self-esteem, female undergraduates, Lagos State, body image counselling