Background:

Body image focuses on a mental representation that involves what one thinks, and feels, how one perceives and acts in relation to one’s own body.

Objective:

Estimate the association of body mass index with body image and self-esteem in young adults, in a family medicine unit.

Material and methods:

Observational, analytical, prolective, cross-sectional study, with a sample of 411 patients, with the following inclusion criteria: age between 18 and 35 years, without comorbidities, non-pregnant women and signature of informed consent letter. Two instruments were used: Stunkard Pictogram (Cronbach’s alpha 0.94), and Rosenberg Scale (Cronbach’s alpha 0.73). Inferential analysis of variables body mass index and body image and body mass index and self-esteem was performed by means of the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05).

Results:

There is a relationship between body mass index with body image perception in 25.1%; no relationship was found between body mass index with self-esteem, in 22.8%.

Conclusions:

Body mass index and body image are factors that can influence the emotional state of the individual and it is necessary to carry out programs that improve physical appearance and strengthen self-esteem.