Overweight and obesity in saharawi women and the relationship with beauty ideals

Objective: To analyse the prevalence of overweight in a sample of Saharawi women in relationship with their body image. Methods: Intentional sample of 210 women living in Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf during 2018. The BMI was determined and then the Maganto and Cruz Silhouette questionnaire was applied to each, to determine the Distortion Index and the Body Image Dissatisfaction Index. Results: 60.47% of women had a BMI of over 25. The 92.4% of women identify with a slimmer silhouette than corresponds to them. The 40.5% of the sample is satisfied with their body image. Conclusions: The high rate of obesity detected isdoes not related togenerate dissatisfaction with their body in the women that took part. The indices of distortion and dissatisfaction suggest social acceptance of the figure of an obese woman in Saharawi society.