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The Relationships Between Sexual Function, Body Image, and Body Mass Index Among Women

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Abstract

The cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between sexual function, body mass index and body image among women. 193 women were included in the sampling. The data was collected using questionnaire form, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Body Image Scale (BIS). The mean of the total FSFI score was 22.62 (SD 6.54, range 2.00–32.00). The mean of the BIS score was 145.29 (SD 17.73, range 93–200). The mean of the body mass index (BMI) was 24.50 (SD 3.75, range 16.05–35.56). Of the six sexual function parameters, pain (r = 0.044) did not correlate with BIS, while desire (r = 0.351), arousal (r = 0.335), lubrication (r = 0.242), orgasm (r = 0.335), satisfaction (r = 0.339) and FSFI total (r = 0.343), all p < 0.001 did. In according to BMI groups of women were observed significant difference in BIS scores (p = 0.007), but FSFI scores were not (p > 0.05). In conclusion, positive body image of women had a positive effect on their sexual function. Overweight and obese based on BMI among women had a negative effect on woman’s body image, but had no effected on woman’s sexual function.

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Acknowledgments

I wish to thank all women who so willingly participated in this study. The financial support of this research was provided by the researcher. This research submitted as a poster presentation to the The 13th National Nursing Congress, 19–22 October 2011, Şanlıurfa, Turkey.

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  1. Department of Nursing, School of Health, Ordu University, 52200, Ordu, Turkey

    Nülüfer Erbil

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Correspondence to Nülüfer Erbil.

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Erbil, N. The Relationships Between Sexual Function, Body Image, and Body Mass Index Among Women. Sex Disabil 31, 63–70 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-012-9258-4

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