Perception of the body image in embera chami: body dimensions

Abstract

The Embera Chamí of Cristiania is a community located in the jurisdiction of Jardín, south-eastern Antioquia. This study integrates community perceptions about their body and body image. This anthropological analysis evidenced the relation between body perception felt and lived, prevention and monitoring the preventing recommendations. The objective of this research was to study men and women self-perception of their corporal dimensions. The study was designed to implement ethnographic information and interviews, combining qualitative data with quantitative data and anthropometric size and body shape measurements. Body Mass Index perception is similar to the other nonindigenous societies, as men tend to underestimate their BMI and women to overestimate it. Weight increase is prevalent in relation to women’s age and dietary pattern.