Representations of internal body image: a study of preadolescents and adolescent students in Araucaria, Paraná, Brazil

The purpose of this exploratory study is to analyse the graphic representation of the inside the body of pre adolescents and adolescents students and to characterise how the internal body image and anatomic knowledge is acquired and turn permanent during adolescence. Secondly, to inquire whether there is an integration of sex organs into the internal body image. The drawings representing the inside of the body in the conception of 143 Brazilian pre adolescents and adolescents students from a rural area, of both sexes aged 10,5 to 18 yr. were analysed according to a guide for qualitative scoring and some quantitative criteria. The integration of sex organs into the drawings representing body image was equally evident with preadolescents and adolescents of both sexes. It was noticed that a partial inner body image was found in most of the students’drawings, showing a misconception in the integration of body organs.