Women's Health and Body - a Comparative Study from Youth to Old Age
Women's Health and Body - a Comparative Study from Youth to Old Age

Summary/Abstract: Women's body experiences evolve across the lifespan under the influence of biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors. Age-related neuroendocrine, somatic, and functional changes - particularly during midlife and menopause may affect perceptions of sexual attractiveness, satisfaction with sexualization, and body image. This study compared body-related attitudes among young adult, midlife, and older women to identify age-related patterns. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Women aged 18-28, 40-59, and 60-74 were recruited via snowball sampling and online calls. Participants completed standardized questionnaires (Body Esteem Scale; Enjoyment of Sexualisation Scale; Physical Attraction Scale) assessing body esteem, satisfaction with sexualization, and perceived physical attractiveness in paper and online formats. Analyses included Shapiro-Wilk tests, descriptive statistics, and group comparisons, alongside demographic and health-related variables. Age significantly differentiated body-related outcomes. Young women reported the highest satisfaction with sexualization, reflecting sensitivity to socio-cultural appearance norms. Midlife women showed the lowest scores for sexual attractiveness, weight concern, and physical condition, indicating physiological and psychosocial transitions. Women aged 60-74 demonstrated increased satisfaction with sexualization and stable emotional and behavioral attractiveness. Body image and sexuality change dynamically across adulthood, with midlife marked by declines and later adulthood by relative adaptation and stability. Findings highlight the importance of age-sensitive, bio-psychosocial approaches to women's health.

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